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CANADA 


IN  1837-38, 


SHOWINO, 

BY     HISTORICAL    FACTS, 

THE  CAUSES  OF  THE  LATE  ATTEMPTED  REVOLUTION,  AND 

OF  ITS  FAILURE; 

TIIE  PRESENT  CONDITION  OP  THE  PEOPLE,  AND  THEm  FUTURE 

PROSPECTS, 

TOOETHER  WITH  THE 

PERSONAI.   ADVENTURES    OF   THE  AUTHOR, 

AND 
OTHERS   WHO   WERE   CONNECTED   WITH   THE   REVOLUTION. 


BY  E.  A.  THELLER, 

BRIQADIER-OBNERAL  IN  TUB  CANADIAN  REPUBLICAN  BERVICK. 


'  Who  Strikes  at  sovereign  power  had  need  strike  home, 
For  storms  that  fail  to  blow  the  cedar  down, 
May  tear  the  branches,  but  they  fix  the  roots." 


IN    TWO    VOLUMES. 

VOL.  I. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

HENRY    F.    ANNERS. 

NEW   YORK:— J.    &   H.  G.   L  A  N  G  L  E  Y. 

1841. 


i 


1'' 


p. 


\ 


V.  i 


Entereu  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1841,  by 

'  E.   A.    TlIELLER, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 


STEHKOTVPKU    DV    L.   JOHNSON 
PniNTBD     DY  T.    K.    &.    1'.   O.    COLLINS,    PHILADELrHIA. 


«K- 


>y 

■  Penn- 


TO 


COL.  RICHARD  M.  JOHNSON, 

VICE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES, 

THE   STERN    REPUBLICAN — THE   ADVOCATE   OF  LIBERTY— 
THE    PATRIOT, 


THESE      PAGES     ARE     INSCRIBED 

BY 
HIS   FRIEND   AND   FELLOW-CITIZEN, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


IS 


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INTRODUCTION. 


\U 


In  introducing  the  following  pages  to  the  public, 
the  author  is  influenced  principally  by  a  desire  to 
render  a  service  to  his  suffering  fellow-man.  It  is 
his  object  to  afford  the  American  reader,  and  the 
friends  of  liberty,  humanity,  law,  and  order,  through- 
out the  civilized  world,  a  correct  insight  into  the  situ- 
ation of  the  Canadas,  and  its  oppressed  and  unhappy 
inhabitants. 

Since  his  escape  from  the  Citadel  of  Quebec,  he  has 
been  repeatedly  and  urgently  solicited  to  publish  a 
work  of  like  character;  but,  fearful  of  implicating 
any  of  those  generous  individuals  who  had  aided 
him,  and  who  then  resided  in  the  lower  province,  as 
well  as  being,  by  necessity,  obliged,  soon  after  his 
arrival  at  home,  to  embark  in  the  arduous  labours  of 
a  publisher ;  and,  as  the  editor  of  a  daily  and  weekly 
newspaper,  he  found  but  little  time  to  devote  to  the 
task.  Even  now,  it  is  with  reluctance  he  sends  to 
the  press  his  imperfect  chapters,  written,  as  they  have 
been,  at  brief  intervals,  during  the  urgency  of  daily 
business.  He,  however,  gives  them  to  the  reader  for 
what  they  are  worth  ;  careless  of  the  critic,  and  but 
desirous  that  the  work  may  be  appreciated  for  its 
value,  if  it  possess  any,  as  a  matter-of-fact  record, 
and  historical  sketch  of  the  revolutionary  st  'ggles 

1* 


f\ 


'I 

IMi 


i 


m 


6 

of  the  Canadian  pr()viiic(;s,  and  of  political  incident, 
coinicctcd  with  the  country,  from  the  early  settlement 
of  tliat  portion  of  the  American  continent. 

Great  care  lias  been  taken  in  respect  to  the  authen- 
ticity of  statements  of  which  the  author  was  not  per- 
sonally cognisant :  so  much  so,  that  he  is  confident 
of  the  general  accuracy  of  the  whole.  The  thrilling 
incidents  and  living  names  which  he  has  introduced, 
will  answer  for  themselves ;  and,  as  to  those  extra- 
ordinary scenes  which  may  appear  so  rife  with  fic- 
tion, in  which  himself  was  an  actor,  he  has  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  that  many  of  the  honourable 
gentlemen  whom  he  has  named,  and  to  whom  lie  has 
alluded,  are  still  alive,  and  most  of  whom  are  now 
in  this  coimtry,  ready  to  solemnly  attest  to  the  truth 
of  the  narration  of  the  various  incidents  which  they 
themselves  have  witnessed,  in  common  with  him ; 
some,  one  or  more ;  but  which,  collectively,  consti- 
tute the  wliole  mass.  He  has  been  as  particular  and 
as  minute  as  his  time,  and  the  circumstances  under 
wliich  he  laboured  would  admit ;  and  the  more  so, 
to  afford  a  true  picture  of  the  appalling  wretchedness 
of  a  worthy  people  within  the  reach  of  that  succour 
and  support  which  nature  requires,  and  which  it  is  the 
duty  of  humanity  to  extend  to  the  suffering ;  a  duty 
which,  he  charitably  believes,  no  American  hand 
would,  at  any  time,  have  withheld,  could  its  owner 
have  been  in  possession  of  the  true  situation  of  those 
who  wooed  its  charities,  and  cried  to  it  for  protection. 

It  is  the  first  impulse  of  the  persecuted  of  all  na- 
tions of  the  earth,  who  thirst  for  liberty,  to  seek  the 
sympathies,  if  not  fly  for  protection,  to  that  land 
which  guaranties  freedom  of  conscience,  and  free- 


iucideut, 
uttlcment 

c  authon- 
s  not  pcr- 
confident 


ft 


n  thrillin 
itroduced, 
osc  extra- 
with  fic- 
5  the  satis- 
onourable 
om  he  has 
I  are  now 
>  the  truth 
vhich  they 
with  him; 
ply,  consti- 
icular  and 
ices  under 
e  more  so, 
etchedness 
It  succour 
Lch  it  is  the 
ig ;  a  duty 
ican  hand 
its  owner 
in  of  those 
rotection. 
of  all  na- 
seek  the 
that  land 
and  free- 


dom of  oiiiiiion,  to  every  kindred,  sect,  and  tongue  ; 
asking,  beneath  its  sanction,  a  resting-place  and  a 
homo,  wiiero  they  might  enjoy  the  birthright  of  man. 


And  it  is  a  noble  trait  in  the  American  character — 
the  fast  impulse  of  their  nature,  to  welcome  witli 
open  arms,  and  minister  generous  hospitality  to  the 
helpless  and  the  destitute.  If,  then,  these  sympathies 
predominate,  and  the  remnants  of  monarchical  ter 
ritory  on  our  borders  must  eventually  become  free 
and  independent,  as  is  apparent  to  the  most  casual 
observer,  and  the  regal  sceptre  pass  from  the  hands 
of  a  foreign  monarch  to  the  people  themselves,  would 
it  not  be  wise  in  us  to  understand  the  causes  that 
impel  the  people  to  wrestle  with  the  serried  hordes 
of  those  oppressors  in  the  bloody  struggles  that  must 
intervene?  What  incipient  step  can  we  take,  the 
better  to  appreciate  the  justice  of  their  cause,  and  the 
merits  of  those  involved,  than  by  informing  ourselves 
of  the  nature  and  character  of  the  people,  and  of  what 
they  have  done  when  they  were  unprepared,  and 
forced  prematurely  to  the  last  alternative  ? 

With  this  view,  and  in  the  fervent  hope  that  the 
patriotic  citizens  of  this  Union  may  imbibe  a  nioro 
correct  and  favourable  knowledge  of  ihe  Canadian 
character  than  they  have  hitherto  been  impressed 
with,  and  that  the  nature  and  character  of  the  go- 
vernment under  whose  sanguinary  sway  that  beau- 
tiful portion  of  America  groans  and  bleeds  may  be 
more  fully  appreciated,  has  the  author  compiled  tliese 
volumes :  and,  if  they  do  but  have  a  tendency  even 
partially  to  awaken  his  fellow-citizens  to  a  true  sense 
of  the  crying  wrongs  of  the  injured,  oppressed,  en- 
slaved Canadian,  he  will  feel  himself  more  than  com- 


■I  • 


H 


8 


pensatcd  lor  all  his  labours,  losses,  and  individual 
sufTorings  in  behalf  of  that  honest,  virtuous,  and  pa- 
triotic people. 

Another  object  the  author  lias  in  view ;  and  one 
that,  as  a  naturalized  citizen  of  this  republic,  is  dear 
'to  his  heart.  He  had  been  tried  and  condemned,  in 
Upper  Canada,  for  high  treason  ;  and  ordered  to  be 
executed,  on  the  law  of  the  British  government, 
of  "once  a  subject,  always  a  subject.'*  lie  has 
felt  an  anxiety  to  bring  before  the  American  people 
the  important  question  involved  by  this  act,  as  con- 
nected with  the  naturalization  laws  of  tliis  country, 
viz. :  Whether,  in  event  of  war,  it  would  be  prudent 
for  them  to  allow  a  foreign  government  to  claim,  and 
enforce  allegiance  from  at  least  one-fourth  of  their 
whole  population  of  free,  white,  male  inhabitants. 
This  question,  in  the  mind  of  the  author,  is  of  such 
importance,  that  he  has  probably  dwelt  longer  upon 
it,  in  the  course  of  this  work,  than  some  of  his  read- 
ers may  have  thought  necessary,  while  to  others, 
situated  as  himself,  the  matter  is  considered  of  so  se- 
rious a  nature,  that  they  may  think,  on  the  other 
hand,  he  has  not  said  enough  about  it. 


Sicgl 
StatJ 


id  individual 
lous,  and  pa- 

c\v ;  and  one 
ublic,  is  dear 
•ndemned,  in 
Drdered  to  be 
government, 
t."     He  has 
srican  people 
3  act,  as  con- 
this  country, 
d  be  prudent 
to  claim,  and 
irth  of  their 
inhabitants. 
)r,  is  of  such 
longer  upon 
of  his  read- 
to  others, 
red  of  so  se- 
the  other 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEU  I. 

Pago 

Sicgo  of  Quebec — Battle  of  the  PlainB  of  Abraham II 

CHArTKR  II. 
State  of  Canada  after  the  Siege  anil  Uuttlo 17 

CHAPTER  III. 

ComUict  of  the  BritiHh  Governmi'nt — Forma' ion  of  the  "  Doric 
Club/'  aiiJ  the  Association  of  the  "  iSona  ol  Liberty" 25 

CHAPTER  IV. 

St.  Charles — Arrest  and  Rcw-uc  of  Dosmarais  and  Davignon — 
Battles  of  Su  Dennis,  and  iSt.  Charles 3C 

CHAPTER  V. 
Battle  and  Destruction  of  St.  Eustache 67 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Political  state  of  the  province  of  Upper  Canada — Declaration  of 
Rights  by  the  Reformers 69 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Insurrection   in  the  Upper  Province — Defeat  of  the  Patriots  at 
Montgomery's — Assemblage  and   Dispersion  of  the  Patriots, 
under  Duncombe,  in  the  London  District 82 

CHAPTER  VIIL 
Buffalo — Navy  Island — Destruction  of  the  Caroline 96 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Detroit — Arrival  of  the  Canadian  Refugees  in  Michigan — Provi- 
sions made  for  them — Determination  to  aid  them 104 

CHAPTER  X. 

Change  of  Plan — Departure  of  the  Schooner  Ann  from  Detroit — 
Gibraltar — Indian  Emissaries — Arrival  of  Sutherland — Depart- 
ure from  Gibraltar — Bois  Blanc — Cruise  of  the  Ann 116 

0 


tl 

I 

1 


'^!' 


tl 


Hi 


'  i 


11 


10 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Page 
Capture  of  the  Schooner  Ann — Fight  at  Maiden — Imprisonment 
— Treatment — Leave  for  London 1 34 

CHAPTER  XII.  ■ 

From  Maiden  up  to  Time  of  departure  from  London 142 

CHAPTER  XIII.  ■ 

From  London  to  Toronto,  with  Incidents  by  the  Way  155 

CHAPTER  XIV.  ^ 

The  Prison  at  Toronto — Fare — Treatment — Incidents 161 

CHAPTER  XV.  ^ 

Arrival  of  Col.  Dodge — Capture  of  Sutherland — His  Attempt  at 
Suicide — His  Trial  by  a  Court  Martial,  and  Sentence — Trials 
and  Sentence  of  Lount  and  Matthews — Indictments — Trials  of 
Montgomery,  Mordcn,  and  Anderson 171 

CHAPTER  X;'I.  I 

Proceedings  at  Camp,  and  in  Detroit,  after  the  capture  of  the  Ann 
— Conduct  of  the  United  States  Authorities — Battles  at  Fighting  } 

Island,  Point  au  Pelee 186 

CHAPTER  XVn. 
Tiialof  the  Author  for  High  Treason 200 

CHAPTER  XVHL 
Execution  of  Lount  and  Matthews 226 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Character  of  Lount  and  Matthews 232 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Sentence  of  the  Author ,....236 

CHAPTER  XXL 

Petitions  to  the  Queen — Conduct,  of  Governor  and  Council 238 

CHAPTER  XXIL 

Arrival,  at  Toronto,  of  Mrs.  Theller — Excitement  amongst  the 
People  and  the  Military — Respite 253 

M 


Sta 


go 
wi 
wi 
th 


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-Imprisonment 


Page 


134 


142 


CANADA  IN  1837-38. 


ay 


,155 


ents. 


161 


[is  Attempt  at 
itence — Trials 
nts— Trials  of 
171 

ire  of  the  Ann 
les  at  Fighting 
186 

200 

226 

.....232 

236 

ouncil 238 

amongst  the 
253 


CHAPTER  I. 

State  of  Canada  in  1759 — Siege  of  Quebec,  and  battle  of  the  "Plains 

of  Abraham." 

During  a  period  of  more  than  two  centuries, 
from  the  discovery  of  Canada  by  Jacques  Cartier,  in 
1534,  to  the  cession  of  that  vast  country  by  the  then 
protiigate  and  improvident  court  of  France,  to  Great 
Britain,  in  1763;  the  colony  of  Quebec,  deprived  of 
the  fostering  care  of  a  wise,  judicious,  humane,  and 
heahhy  government^  had  languished,  deteriorated, 
and  fallen  into  that  state  of  depression  and  political 
decay  by  which  its  natural  functions  became  dead- 
ened, and  its  affairs  of  state  stationary.  True,  the 
towns  of  Quebec,  Montreal,  and  Three  Rivers  had 
been  founded,  but  were  as  yet  mere  places  of  ren- 
dezvous for  the  numerous  companies  of  voyageurs, 
who,  penetrating  the  vast  forests  of  tl^  new  world 
in  quest  of  furs,  returned  at  certain  periodical  sea- 
sons to  the  borders  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  with  the 
fruits  of  their  traffic  with  the  natives,  and  of  their 
own  hunters'  skill.  Quebec,  in  1622,  fourteen  years 
after  its  foundation,  contained  but  fifty  souls. 

A  fluctuating  policy  on  the  part  of  the  French 
government — a  policy  which  has  deluged  all  Europe 
with  blood,  exercised  towards  this  infant  colony 
with  relentless  prejudice  and  unbounded  credulity, 
the  inseparable  attributes  of  bigotry  and  supersti- 

11 


W 


i  'i 


t 

i 


I 


U 

(i  A 


12 

tion— drove  from  fellowship  and  excluded  from  com- 
petition in  these  rich  regions,  the  talent  and  tlie 
industry  of  the  Protestant ;  investing  the  Roman 
Catholic  clergy  with  unlimited  influence,  and  placing 
within  their  grasp  a  power,  which,  when  wielded 
by  ignorance  or  an  unworthy  ambition,  was  not 
only  calculated  to  strike  a  death-blow  to  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  the  settlers,  but  forever  to  retard 
the  developement  of  the  resources  of  the  country. 

A  proof  of  which,  and  of  the  vigilance  of  that  crafty 
body  in  its  attention  to  its  temporal  concerns,  and 
of  the  improvidence  and  lavishness  of  the  hypo- 
critical court  of  France,  may  be  found  in  the  fact, 
that  at  the  time  of  the  cession  of  that  colony,  the 
Jesuits  had  secured  to  themselves  one  million  of 
acres  of  the  most  eligible  lands,  and  that  the  other 
clerical  bodies,  then  established  in  the  country,  had 
obtained  grants  equally  enormous,  so  that  the  clergy 
of  Canada  owned  one-quarter  of  all  the  lands  con- 
ceded in  the  colony  up  to  that  epoch. 

These  immense  domains,  together  with  large  and 
numerous  grants  of  lands  conferred  upon  cadets  of 
noble  families,  under  the  title  of  Seigneuries,  were 
spread  over  the  country  and  divided  by  tracts  of 
land  intended  for  actual  settlers.  And  the  same  op- 
pressive system,  by  which  the  clergy  reserves  have 
been  scattered  through  the  present  provinces  of  Up- 
per and  Lower  Canada,  and  the  intolerable  burden 
of  making  roads  across  the  unoccupied  lands  of  the 
privileged  classes,  for  the  purpose  of  communicating 
with  the  next,  but  distant  neighbour,  or  of  seeking 
a  market,  or  a  resort  for  necessary  supplies,  damped 
the  energies  of  the  industrious  colonist,  and  forbade 
his  penetrating  far  from  the  original  settlements. 
And  to  this  cause  is  to  be  ascribed  the  founding  of 
all  the  French  villages  on  the  borders  of  the  rivers. 
Although  the  necessity  of  reciprocal  protection  con- 
tributed larirely  at  first  to  concentrate  the  inhabit- 


l!' 


;d  from  com- 
mit and  the 
the  Roman 
,  and  placing 
lien  wielded 
)ii,  was  not 
)  the  growth 
er  to  retard 
e  country. 
)f  that  crafty 
oncerns,  and 
f  the  hypo- 
in  the  fact, 
t  colony,  the 
!  million  of 
at  the  other 
country,  had 
It  the  clergy 
J  lands  con- 

th  large  and 
)n  cadets  of 
euries,  were 
)y  tracts  of 
e  same  op- 
serves  have 
nces  of  Up- 
ble  burden 
ands  of  the 
^municating 

of  seeking 
|es,  damped 
md  forbade 
settlements. 
Ibunding  of 

the  rivers, 
lection  con- 
lie  inhabit- 


13 

ants,  yet  the  greater  difficulty  exists  to  the  present 
day,  and  acts  as  an  insuperable  barrier  to  tlu-.  indus- 
try and  jjerseverance  of  emigrants.  In  fact  they 
liave  been  compelled,  ininnunierable  instances,  from 
these  causes,  to  abandon  their  establishments,  be- 
stowing upon  the  heartless  monopolist  the  fruits  of 
their  labour,  and  the  curses  of  a  ruined  family. 

The  opinion  generally  entertained,  that  the  relent- 
less character  of  the  aborigines,  which  impelled  them 
to  wage  a  galling  and  incessant  war  against  the  in- 
truders on  their  soil,  had  a  tendency  to  retard  the 
progress  of  the  colony,  is  not  altogether  correct.  It 
is  of  course  admitted,  that  the  pioneers  of  civilization, 
in  every  part  of  America,  had  to  contend  against  an 
enemy  whose  system  of  warfare  was  both  annoying 
and  injurious  to  the  European,  and  which  added  to 
the  toils  of  the  day  incessant  and  sleepless  watchful- 
ness ;  but  whose  courage,  perseverance,  and  supe 
riority  of  arms  soon  taught  their  savage  foe  to  respect 
them,  and  seek  their  protection  and  friendship.  And 
had  the  Canadian  settlers  (Europeans  by  blood) 
given  to  the  Indians  the  same  example  of  justice  and 
good  faith  in  their  dealings,  which  they  evinced  of 
bravery  and  conduct  in  battle,  a  great  portion  of  the 
calamities  which  befell  their  settlements  would  have 
been  avoided.  That  the  innumerable  and  injudicious 
privileges  granted  to  the  clergy  and  nobility,  were 
principal  causes  of  the  languid  state  of  the  Canadian 
colony,  so  long  as  it  remained  under  the  French  go- 
vernment, is  beyond  a  doubt,  when  we  take  into 
consideration  the  fact,  that  the  same  causes  which 
were  hurrying  Old  France  to  an  awful  catastrophe, 
had  been  introduced  into  New  France.  Here,  as  in 
the  mother  country,  the  clergy  were  all-powerful ; 
rising  by  their  influence  over  an  uneducated  popu- 
lation, reduced  to  poverty  by  their  exactions,  to  a 
degree  of  superiority  over  the  nobility,  who  were 
foremost  in  giving  the  example  of  bUnd  obedience  to 

2 


1 


I 
'  'i 


'i'.i 


14 

the  dictates  of  the  church :  and  in  return,  this  last 
order,  charged  exchisively  with  the  education  of  the 
people,  taught  them  humble  submission  to  the  cruel 
system  by  which  they  were  deprived  of  seven- 
eighths  of  the  fruits  of  their  labour,  in  the  shape  of 
tithes,  cens  et  rente,  lods  et  rentes^  Banality  Cor- 
vieSf  and  other  still  more  degrading  proofs  of  ser- 
vility. 

When,  to  such  powerful  agents  in  the  ruin  of 
Canada,  is  added  the  oppressive  conduct  of  the  dif- 
ferent companies  of  merchants,  to  whose  covetous 
hands  the  colony  was  several  times  intrusted,  need 
the  intelligent  wonder  at  the  languid  state  of  Ca- 
nada during  that  period.  What  is  a  matter  of  as- 
tonishment is,  that  a  people  so  oppressed,  so  crushed 
by  the  iron  wheel  of  despotism,  should  have  so  far 
retained  their  attachment  to  so  unjust  a  government, 
as  to  have  bravely  fought  its  battles.  For,  besides 
the  efforts  of  some  of  the  Indians  against  the  colony, 
several  attempts  had  been  made  by  the  British  to 
conquer  it ;  and  they  had  been  so  far  successful  as 
to  make  themselves  its  masters  in  1629,  but  had  re- 
stored it  to  the  Crown  of  France  by  the  treaty  of  St. 
Germain  en  Laye,  in  1632.  In  1729,  a  century  after 
their  first  conquest,  the  British,  with  a  fleet  of  34 
sail,  under  Admiral  Phipps,  again  appeared  before 
Quebec,  and  demanded  its  surrender.  This  was  re- 
fused by  the  heroic  De  Frontenac,  and  after  a  severe 
loss,  Phipps  withdrew  his  forces.  One  hundred  and 
seventy-one  years  had  then  elapsed  since  the  first 
settlement  of  Canada,  and  the  population  only 
amounted  to  15,000  souls;  but  as  the  Canadian  go- 
vernment now  felt  convinced  that  the  peace  with 
Great  Britain  could  not  be  of  long  duration,  mea- 
sures were  taken  to  put  the  colony  in  a  state  of  de- 
fence. The  militia  were  organized,  troops  brought 
from  France,  and  the  valiant  Montcalm  landed  at 
Quebec. 


al 


rn,  this  last 
ition  of  the 
to  the  cruel 
of  sevcn- 
e  shape  of 
nalit^  Cor- 
oofs  of  ser- 

:he  ruin  of 

t  of  the  dif- 

se  covetous 

•usted,  need 

tate  of  Ca- 

atter  of  as- 

,  so  crushed 

have  so  far 

government, 

For,  besides 

:  the  colony, 

le  British  to 

luccessful  as 

ut  had  re- 

reaty  of  St. 

ntury  after 

fleet  of  34 

red  before 

his  was  re- 

ler  a  severe 

indred  and 

iQ  the  first 

ition    only 

|nadian  go- 

)eace  whh 

ition,  mea- 

Itate  of  de- 

)s  brought 

landed  at 


15 

As  had  been  anticipated,  a  war  broke  out  between 
England  and  France,  in  July,  1755,  and  was  waged 
by  both  nations  with  alternate  success  until  1759, 
when  the  intrepid  General  Wolfe,  with  an  army  of 
about  5000  men,  landed  on  the  island  of  Orleans, 
four  miles  below  Quebec.  On  the  9th  July  follow- 
ing, he  crossed  the  northern  channel  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  established  his  camp  at  L'Ange  Gardien, 
and  a  few  days  after,  he  attacked  the  Canadians  at 
the  Falls  of  Montmorency,  and  was  repulsed  with 
the  loss  of  500  men.  This  check,  which  at  first 
seemed  to  have  destroyed  his  prospect  of  subduing 
Quebec  during  that  campaign,  ultimately  led  to  the 
attainment  of  that  object ;  for  to  it  is  due  the  concep- 
tion of  one  of  the  boldest  undertakings  that  ever 
graced  the  page  of  history — an  inspiration  of  genius 
soaring  above  all  minor  considerations,  and  chal- 
lenging all  possible  consequences.  Having  prepared 
for  the  execution  of  his  daring,  yet  admirable  scheme, 
Wolfe,  by  a  rapid  movement,  overthrew  every  ob- 
stacle in  his  way,  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  12th 
of  September,  gaining^the  heights  of  Abraham,  pre- 
sented his  gallant  little  army  to  the  astounded  enemy, 
in  full  battle  array  under  the  walls  of  Quebec.  The 
chivalrous  Montcalm,  excited  to  desperation  by  this 
masterly  piece  of  generalship,  and  losing  sight  of 
that  wise  policy  which  had  theretofore  governed  his 
mov^ements,  unmindful  of  all  consequences,  rushed 
forth  from  those  impregnable  walls  that  might  have 
defied  an  enemy  of  an  hundred  times  superior  force, 
and  fighting  like  a  desperado,  lost  his  battle,  his  life, 
and  Canada.  His  conqueror  shared  his  fate  ;  and  the 
battle  of  the  Plains  of  Abraham  witnessed  the  exit 
from  the  world  of  two  of  the  bravest  antagonist  war- 
riors of  the  age. 

On  the  18th  September,  Quebec  capitulated,  but 
during  the  following  Spring  an  effort  was  made  to 
retake  it  by  the  Chevalier  de  Levy,  and  a  battle  was 
fought  at  St.  Foy,  six  miles  south-west  of  Quebec ; 


i 


/- 


m 


m 


16 

where  the  English  under  General  JNIurray  were 
defeated.  Levy  then  laid  siege  to  Quebec,  but  the 
French  flotilla  having  been  destroyed,  he  raised 
the  siege  and  proceeded  to  Montreal,  where  he  was 
followed  by  General  Murray,  who  expected  to  form 
a  junction  with  General  Amherst,  then  coming 
down  the  St.  Lawrence  with  reinforcements  from 
the  British  colonies,  now  attached  to  the  United 
States,  and  Montreal  being  invested,  capitulated  on 
the  9th  September,  1760. 

On  the  10th  February,  1763,  a  treaty  of  peace 
was  made  between  the  French  and  English  govern- 
ments, by  which  the  profligate  and  cruel  court  of 
France  transferred  to  Great  Britain  all  her  rights  to 
Canada.  And  thus  was  a  loyal  and  valiant  people 
bartered  away  by  an  unnatural  government,  and 
left  to  the  mercy  of  the  most  inveterate  enemy  of 
their  race,  their  religion,  and  their  laws ;  and  thus 
ended  the  influence  of  France  over  the  continent  of 
America — an  influence  which  during  two  centuries 
and  a  quarter  had  been  exerted  to  enslave  the  peo- 
ple, by  increasing  and  perpetuating  the  odious  pri- 
vileges of  their  spiritual  and  temporal  masters. 

I  have  deemed  it  proper  thus  to  preface  the  his- 
tory of  British  domination  in  Canada,  by  a  brief 
sketch  of  the  early  days  of  that  important  portion 
of  North  America,  under  the  impression  that  all  in- 
teresting matters  of  fact,  which  may  tend  to  render 
a  biographical  account  of  our  neighbours  familiar 
to  the  American  public,  will  be  received  with  in- 
dulgence, and  read  with  that  interest  which  the  im- 
jpfortance  of  their  present  relations  to  us  demands 
from  the  patriot  and  the  philanthropist.  And  I  con- 
fidently bespeak  the  like  indulgence  while  I  proceed 
to  review  the  history  of  those  unhappy  provinces, 
from  their  cession,  down  to  the  period  of  the  gallant 
but  unsuccessful  eflbrts,  made  by  an  oppressed  peo- 
ple, in  1837  and  8,  to  shake  off"  the  chains  of  foreign 
bondage — of  mental  and  physical  slavery.     In  doing 


S( 
S( 


J 


17 


ray  were 
c,  but  the 
he  raised 
re  he  was 
;d  to  form 
1  coming 
ents  from 
le  United 
tulated  on 

of  peace 
;h  govern- 
l  court  of 
f  rights  to 
nt  people 
ment,  and 
enemy  of 
and  thus 
ntinent  of 
I  centuries 
3  the  peo- 
dious  pri- 
iters. 
the  his- 
a  brief 
It  portion 
lat  all  in- 
to render 
familiar 
with  in- 
the  im- 
demands 
nd  I  con- 
I  proceed 
)rovinces, 
le  gallant 
ssed  peo- 
f  foreign 
In  doing 


ti 


I 


so,  the  most  ordinary  intellect  will  not  fail  to  ob- 
serve, that  if  that  hiteresting  portion  of  our  continent 
could  attain  its  present  degree  of  importance  and 
have  developed  so  much,  under  the  system  of  exac- 
tions, intolerance,  and  proscription  pursued  by  the 
British  government,  what  proud  elevation  might  she 
not  have  reached,  had  she  been  favoured  with  a 
government  exercising  the  judicious,  liberal,  and  ho- 
nourable policy  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  II. 

State  of  Canada  after  the  Siege  and  Battle. 

When,  in  1763,  the  appalling  intelligence  of  the 
cession  of  Canada  was  announced  on  the  shores  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  the  j^rief  of  a  deserted  and  paralysed 
people  was  heard  in  moans  of  sorrow  and  murmur- 
ed curses,  from  hamlet  to  hut,  penetrating  her  denser 
forests,  to  the  remotest  bounds  of  her  civilization. 
Trusting  to  the  honour  of  their  government — and  to 
the  proofs  of  loyalty  they  had  given  their  sovereign, 
and  not  unmindful,  that  to  advance  the  interests  of 
France,  they  had  abandoned  the  green  fields  of  the 
home  of  their  fathers,  for  the  privations  of  the  New 
World,  the  Canadian,  in  the  honesty  of  his  heart, 
believed  the  tie  that  bound  him  to  the  mother  coun- 
try was  not  to  be  so  suddenly  and  rudely  sundered, 
and  he  cast  off  at  a  breath  to  the  bondag^e  of  his 
abhorred  enemy.  But  such  was  his  doom,  from 
which  there  was  no  escape  or  relief.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  painful  result  was  greatly  aggravated  by 
some  of  the  first  acts  of  the  new  government,  who 
lost  no  time  in  gratifying  the  characteristics  of  Bri- 
tish conquerors. 


h 


h 


!  f 


\ 
it*' 


18 

III  the  wiiitur  of  1759,  previous  to  tlie  c.ipitula 
lion  of  Montreal,  it  was  vaguely  reported  to  the 
Governor  of  Quebec,  General  Murray,  that  a  man 
by  tlie  name  of  Nadeau,  a  miller  by  trade,  residing 
near  that  city,  w.is  gathering  arms  to  favour  the 
French  who  were  then  in  Montreal ;  on  which  inti- 
mation an  order  was  forthwith  issued  to  seek  him 
out  and  hang  him  wherever  found.  This  cruel 
order  was  promptly  and  thoroughly  executed.  Na- 
deau was  seized  the  next  morning  in  his  own  house, 
and  in  the  presence  of  his  supplicating  family  bar- 
barously murdered — these  modern  Vandals,  to  pro- 
long the  tortures  of  their  victim,  resorting  to  the 
horrible  contrivance  of  placing  an  iron  crotchet 
under  his  chin,  and  suspending  him  to  a  rack  of  his 
mill,  where  he  died  in  indescribable  agony.  This 
was  the  first  Canadian  blood  unjustly  spilt  by  the 
hands  of  their  tyrants  after  the  capitulation  of  Que- 
bec ;  but  the  people  had  not  to  wait  long  for  the 
second  act  in  the  sanguinary  drama  of  their  slavery. 
In  1762,  the  Indians  of  Mackinaw,  exasperated  by 
the  tyrannical  behaviour  of  the  British,  had  mur- 
dered the  whole  garrison  of  that  fort,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  commanding  officer,  whose  life  Avas 
saved  by  De  Langlade,  a  Canadian  who  had  often 
predicted  to  the  English  the  result  of  their  cruel 
treatment  of  the  natives.  General  Gage,  resolved 
on  revenging  this  insult,  now  collected  an  army  for 
that  purpose,  each  colony  being  obliged  to  furnish 
its  quantum  of  soldiers.  Canada  contributed  609 
men,  who  during  that  hazardous  expedition  were 
subjected  to  the  most  cruel  and  degrading  treatment. 
They  were  transformed  into  beasts  of  burden,  made 
to  carry  the  baggage  of  even  the  common  soldier, 
and  to  work  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  whilst  the 
British  regulars  were  quietly  seated  under  their  tents 
insultingly  laughing  at  the  hardships  of  their  new 
subjects.     And  the  expedition  being  jSnally  counter- 


in 


; 


capitula 
ed  to  I  lie 
at  a  niiin 
;,  residing 
ivoiir  the 
'hich  inti- 
seek  him 
'his  cruel 
ted.     Na- 
vii  house, 
.mily  bar- 
is,  to  pro- 
\g  to  tlie 
crotchet 
ick  of  his 
ly.     This 
It  by  the 
1  of  Que- 
g  for  the 
r  slavery, 
(rated  by 
lad  mur- 
the  ex- 
ife  was 
ad  often 
sir  cruel 
resolved 
irmy  for 
furnish 
ted    609 
)n  were 
atment. 
n,  made 
soldier, 
ilst  the 
ir  tents 
;ir  new 
ounter- 


mandod  when  the  army  was  at  a  great  (hstance  fidm 
Quulicc,  the  Canadians  were  (hsl)and('d  and  Irl'i  to 
make  tluir  way  to  their  homes,  destitute  of  j)r()- 
visions  or  ammunition,  through  the  very  enemy 
against  whoni  they  were  waging  war.  Their  ialt'! 
can  l)e  easily  imagined.  A  wretched  fi  \v  reached 
their  sad  homes,  to  tell  the  bereaved  lamiUes  of  their 
friends,  that  their  fathers,  husbands,  sons,  and  bro- 
thers, had  i)erished  by  hunger  and  tlie  tomahawk. 

It  may  readily  be  imagined  tliat  these  awful 
tokens  of  the  cruel  character  of  their  C()n([uerors, 
which  preceded  the  promulgation  of  the  treaty  by 
which  the  imbecile  Louis  XV.  had  ceded  so  valu- 
able a  part  of  his  dominions  to  England,  had  cast  a 
gloom  over  the  country,  and  that  these  acts  of  ty- 
ranny and  blood  spread  dismay  and  alarm  amongst 
all  classes.  Their  worst  apprehensions  were  now 
to  be  fully  realized  by  the  publication  of  the  base 
act  by  which  they  found  themselves  at  the  mercy  of 
their  unprincipled  enemy ;  who,  taking  delight  in 
accumulating  moral  and  physical  tortures  upon  its 
victims,  substituted  the  English  code  of  laws,  which, 
in  its  criminal  enactments,  was  even  too  sanguuiary 
for  England,  and  its  civil  portions  too  intricate  for 
any  country  accustomed  to  such  a  system  as  the 
colonists  had  long  been  governed  by.  Another  in- 
sult also  followed  in  the  organization  of  the  legisla- 
tive council.  That  body — an  important  branch  of  the 
new  local  government — was  composed  exclusively 
of  strangers,  although  there  were  amongst  the  Ca- 
nadians men  of  superior  abilities,  conversant  with 
the  liistory  of  the  colony,  its  wants  and  its  resources. 

By  those  two  important  measures  of  the  liritish 
government  towards  its  new  colony;  first,  in  ex- 
cluding from  the  council  all  the  natives  of  Canada, 
they  deprived  themselves  of  indispensable  means  of 
wisely  and  justly  legislating  for  a  people  of  whose 
laws,  habits,  and  customs,  wants  and  means,  the  Bri- 


i^l 


80 


r 


tisli  colonial  functionaries  were,  of  necessity,  igno- 
rant ;  rendering  themselves  liable  to  commit  irre- 
,)aral)le  errors  and  unpardonable  injustice.  They 
also  d(!prived,  by  that  unjust  exclusion  of  the  native 
Canadians  from  the  councils  of  the  colony,  their 
new  subjects  of  the  protection  which  men  of  respect- 
ability and  capacity,  and  in  whom  they  had  confi- 
dence, would  have  insured  them  against  the  iiatred 
of  their  new  masters. 

The  introduction  of  the  English  laws  in  the  colony 
was  not  attended  with  less  danger  and  evil  conse- 
quences. This  unexpected  and  tyrannical  measure 
compelled  a  great  number  of  lawyers,  celebrated 
both  for  learning  and  integrity,  to  withdraw  from 
Canada,  leaving  the  people  an  unprotected  and  easy 
prey  to  the  rapacity  of  English  lawyers,  who  then 
inundated  the  colony.  That  this  picture  may  not 
appear  exaggerated  it  may  be  proper  to  introduce 
facts  to  show  that  it  falls  short  of  the  reality.  Ge- 
neral Murray,  whose  fame  is  stained  by  the  horrid 
murder  of  Nadeau,  and  who  will  not  be  supposed 
to  have  been  partial  to  the  Canadians,  thus  addresses 
the  colonial  ministers  of  England,  in  1764.  Speak- 
ing of  the  Protestants,  he  says,  "  I  report  them  to  be 
in  general  the  most  immoral  selection  of  men  I  ever 
knew,  of  course  little  calculated  to  make  the  new 
subjects  enamoured  with  our  laws,  religion,  and 
customs,  and  far  less  adapted  to  enforce  those  laws 
which  are  to  govern." 

The  same  unimpeachable  authority  describes  the 
public  functionaries  appointed  by  the  British  govern- 
ment, and  the  lawless  lawyers  then  oppressing  the 
colony  with  the  burden  of  their  vice  and  immorality, 
as  follows  :  "  The  improper  choice  of  the  civil  offi- 
cers sent  out  increases  the  inquietude  of  the  colony. 
Instead  of  men  of  genius  and  undoubted  morals,  the 
very  reverse  have  been  appointed  to  the  most  im- 
portant offices,  and  it  is  impossible  to  communicate, 
through  them,  those  impressions  of  the  dignity  of 


S, 


ty,  iguo- 
iiiit  irre- 
.  They 
le  native 
[ly,  their 
f  respect- 
id  coiiii- 
e  hatred 

le  colony 

il  conse- 

measure 

3lebrated 

aw  from 

and  easy 

rho  then 

may  not 

utroduce 

ty.     Ge- 

le  horrid 

upposed 

ddrcsses 

Speak- 

3m  to  be 

n  I  ever 

he  new 

on,  and 

se  laws 

ibes  the 
g^overn- 
ing  the 
lorality, 
vil  ofti- 
colony. 
als,  the 
ost  im- 
micate, 
nity  of 


I 


> 
$ 


21 

the  govcrinncnt  by  which  mankind  can  be  hi'kl  to- 
gether in  society.  Tiie  judge  pitched  upon  to  con- 
ciliate the  minds  of  seventy-live  tiiousaud  loruigncrs 
to  the  laws  of  Great  Jiritain,  was  taken  from  a  jail, 
entirely  ignorant  of  civil  law  and  of  the  kuiguago 
of  the  people." 

No  correct  idea  can  bo  formed  of  the  vexatious 
injnstice  and  fraud  practised  by  the  English  popnla- 
tion  upon  the  honest  colonists,  who  are  described  as 
follows  by  Governor  Murray,  in  the  same  docu- 
ment :  "  I  glory  in  having  been  accused  of  warmth 
and  firmness  in  protecting  the  king's  Canadian  sub- 
jects, and  of  dohig  the  utmost  in  my  power  to  gain 
to  my  royal  master  the  alfections  of  that  brave,  hardy, 
and  generous  people." 

Tlie  germs  of  disaffection  had  thus  been  early 
sown  in  Canada,  and  the  British  part  of  the  popula- 
tion, encouraged  by  the  Machiavelian  policy  of  Great 
Britain,  and  considering  themselves  a  superior  race 
of  beings,  had  monopolized  not  only  all  the  j)Iaces 
of  honour  and  profit,  but  alone  exercised  the  func- 
tions of  jurors,  lawyers,  notaries  public,  &c.,  &c. 

The  noble  and  virtuous  resistance  of  the  fathers 
of  this  happy  republic,  to  the  tyrannical  enactments 
of  the  barons  of  England,  had  now  assumed  an 
alarming  appearance ;  and  as,  in  the  event  of  hos- 
tilities, Canada  would  become  an  easy  conquest  for 
the  Americans,  unless  the  Canadians  were  induced 
to  resist  the  invasion,  concessions  were  made  to  them, 
and  every  possible  means  resorted  to,  that  the  inge- 
nuity of  the  British  government  could  suggest,  to 
engage  them  in  the  defence  of  their  oppressors.  The 
former  system  of  laws  was  partially  re-established, 
the  doors  of  the  Council  thrown  open  to  the  Canadi- 
ans, and  the  invaluable  right  of  sitting  as  jurors,  witli 
other,  but  unessential  privileges,  granted  to  them. 
These  tardy  acts  of  justice,  added  to  the  mean  and 
sycophantic  manner  in  which  a  base  and  venal  clergy 
proclaimed  the  generosity  and  paternal  care  of  the 


hi 


'Il 


'1 


I 


'  ii 


t 


I. 


29 

lirilisli  government,  wlio  inaintaiiicd  tluMii  in  tlicir 
liiciiitivu  j)rivili'jj;o  of  tithcs-j^atlieiing, — might  l)0 
sij|)j)()S(!(l  to  luivu  liad  great  inllnence  on  the  minds 
ot"  a  |>('Oj)le  ignorant  ol'  the  precions  l)enelits  of  a 
representative  govermnent;  but  the  Canadians  were 
a  sensitive  people,  mild,  yet  high-mhided,  and  could 
not  j'orget  the  cruel  treatment  of  tliosc  who  now  in- 
voked their  aid.  Their  proud  spirits  could  not  brook 
the  insult  to  their  understandings  and  their  feelings  ; 
and  notwithstanding  all  the  powerful  means  em- 
ployed to  conciliate  them,  and  unmindful  of  the  dan- 
g(!rs  attendant  u])on  a  demonstration  of  sympatliy 
for  the  insurgent  Americans,  many  a  brave  Canadian 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution. 

To  form  an  idea  of  the  means  employed  to  awe 
tlie  Canadians  into  resistance  to  the  rebellious  armies, 
reference  might  be  made  to  the  Memoirs  of  the  ener- 
getic Du  Calvet,  who,  after  several  years  of  cruel 
imprisonment,  durhig  which  he  was  ruined  in  health 
and  in  fortune,  was  basely  murdered,  with  his  son, 
by  order  of  Governor  HaldemaU,  the  Nero  of  those 
days,  on  board  a  ship,  while  on  his  way  to  England 
to  complain  of  the  barbarous  conduct  of  that  mon- 
ster. In  that  document  the  reader  will  find  the  model 
which  Governor  Colborne  imitated  and  surpassed  in 
1837  and  1838. 

Hostilities  had  now  commenced,  and  the  intrepid 
Ethan  Allen,  by  the  rapidity  and  brilliant  success  of 
his  movements,  had  alarmed  the  Canadian  authori- 
ties. Every  possible  means  were  again  resorted  to, 
to  induce  the  Canadians  to  arm  themselves  in  defence 
of  their  country.  The  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  ex- 
erted his  powerful  influence  in  favour  of  the  British, 
and,  at  the  request  of  Governor  Carleton,  even  read 
and  caused  to  be  read  throughout  the  province,  a 
pastoral  letter  exhorting  and  commanding  \\\e  faith- 
ful to  take  up  arms  in  behalf  of  Great  Britain.  The 
seigneurs  were  next  employed  by  the  government  to 
rouse  the  people,  but,  like  the  venal  clergy,  met  with 


83 


iaiis  em- 


a  direct  rofisal.  This  was  proof  lli;it  the  C'att  ulians 
were  not  .he  sorvilc  raco  tiwy  had  hmi  supposed  ; 
and  the  niainiiT  in  which  thoy  snbsc(]nt!ntly  w«'l- 
coniod  the  Ainoriran  army  uiidcr  tiif  daring  AlU-n 
and  chivalrous  Monii^onicry,  th.«*  aid  thry  atlonlfd 
the  invMdcrs,  and  the  humane  maimer  in  which  the 
nntorlunate  lollowers  ot"  the  hunented  Mont;L;omery 
were  treated  by  tlic  eiti/ens  of  (^uehee,  exhibited 
clear  pvid«!nce  tlial  they  would  l\ave  hailed  the  suc- 
cess of  that  enterprise  with  enthusiasm. 

The  ii[lorious  war  which  terminated  in  the  inde- 
pendence of  tlie  United  States  of  America  w;is  no 
sooner  at  an  end,  than  tlie  few  concessions  tliat  had 
been  granted  to  the  CaiKuHans  by  tlie  Britisli  govern- 
nieut  wore  encroached  upon,  and  tlie  national  (Hs- 
tiuctions  renewed.  Petitions  had  been  presented  to 
the  British  government,  demanding  a  constitutional 
form  of  government  for  Canacbi;  and  it  is  remark- 
able that  the  petitions  of  the  British  demanded  the 
exclusion  of  the  Canadian  from  either  branch,  while 
Canadian  petitions  prayed  only,  as  tliey  have  ever 
done,  for  equal  rights. 

In  1791,  the  act  dividing  the  province  of  Quel)ec 
into  Upper  and  Lower  Canada  was  passed,  and  gave 
to  each  of  tliose  provinces  a  parliament  composed 
of  an  executive  and  a  legislative  council,  both 
independent  of  the  people,  and  a  bouse  of  repre- 
sentatives,elected  by  certain  denominations  of  voters : 
but  it  was  not  long  before  this  system  was  discovered 
to  be  attended  with  serious  inconveniences,  and  to 
confer  upon  the  popular  branch  a  mere  shadow  of 
power.  With  a  view  to  obtain,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  influence  due  to  the  representative  branch  of  the 
(Canadian  parliament,  several  attempts  were  made 
to  procure  from  the  imperial  legislature  the  privilege 
of  raising  a  revenue  in  the  province,  and  of  assuming 
the  payment  of  the  expenditures  of  the  civil  govern- 
ment. And  it  was  during  that  struggle  that  the 
deformity  of  tlie  system  was  made  evident.     The 


1i 


li 


ill 


i  H 


24 

legislative  council,  composed  for  the  most  part  of  the 
office  holders  and  pensioners  of  the  province,  well 
knowing  that  if  the  payment  of  their  salaries  and 
pensions  should  devolve  upon  the  colonial  parlia- 
ment, the  representative  hody  would  exercise  a  due 
economy,  and  exact  from  the  public  functionaries  a 
more  honest  discharge  of  their  respective  duties,  im- 
mediately tortured  this  offer  on  the  part  of  the  peo- 
ple into  a  desire  to  shake  off  the  yoke  of  England, 
and  declare  themselves  independeirt :  and  such  was 
the  virulence  of  their  opposition,  and  the  alarm  cre- 
ated in  the  mind  of  Sir  James  H.  Craig,  that  the 
press  of  the  newspaper  called  the  "  Canadian," 
which  strenuously  advocated  the  justice  of  the  peo- 
ple's demand,  was  seized  and  destroyed  by  a  large 
party  of  soldiers;  and  the  editors,  printers,  and  some 
of  the  proprietors  were  thrown  into  prison.  This 
liigh- handed  piece  of  despotism  occurred  in  1810, 
and  created  an  excitement  which  led  to  remon- 
strances with  the  home  government,  who,  convinced 
that  a  war  with  the  United  States  was  inevitable, 
applied  themselves  to  allay  the  discontent  of  the 
Canadians.  The  prisoners  were  released  ;  the  pro- 
perty seized  was  restored;  the  Roman  Catholic 
Bishop,  Mr.  Plessis,  laboured  strenuously  in  favour 
of  the  right  divine  of  constituted  authorities ;  one  of 
the  most  popular  victims  of  the  outrage  was  elevated 
to  the  bench ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the 
work  of  conciliation,  an  honest  man — the  just,  the 
wise,  the  benevolent  Prevost — was  appointed  go- 
vernor. 

The  war  broke  out  in  IS  12,  and  such  liad  been 
the  effects  of  the  judicious  administration  of  Gover- 
nor Prevost,  that,  aided  by  the  interested  zeal  of  the 
clergy,  he  succeeded  in  raising  six  battalions  of  mi- 
litia, composed  of  men  of  different  origin.  The 
events  of  this  tremendous  struggle  for  absolute  do- 
minion over  the  seas  on  the  part  of  England,  and  for 
an  equal  rigtit  to  the  use  of  those  highways  of  nations 


^ 


IH;' 


25 


part  of  the 
vince,  well 
ilaries  and 
lial  parlia- 
rcise  a  due 
tionarics  a 
duties,  im- 


f  the 


peo- 


'  England, 
I  such  was 
alarm  cre- 
;,  that  the 
'anadian," 
•f  the  peo- 
by  a  large 
and  some 
son.  This 
I  in  1810, 
to  remon- 
convinced 
ncvitable, 
nt  of  the 
;  the  pro- 
Catholic 
in  favour 
s ;  one  of 
5  elevated 
leting  the 
just,  the 
inted  go- 

lad  been 
if  Gover- 
3al  of  the 
is  of  mi- 
in.  The 
olule  do- 
,  and  for 
f  nations 


on  the  part  of  the  United  States  of  America,  are  too 
well  known,  and  too  fresh  in  the  memory  of  every 
American,  to  require  here  even  a  passing  notice. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Conduct  of  the  British  (Jovcmment — Formation  of  the  "  Doric  Club," 
and  the  Association  of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty." 

It  is  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  this  work  to  ex- 
pose to  the  eyes  of  the  world  the  treacherous  policy 
constantly  exercised  by  England  towards  her  Cana- 
dian subjects.  No  sooner  had  the  war  tcrmhiated, 
ilian  the  officials,  the  pensioners,  and  the  otfice- 
seekcrs,  fearful  lest  the  govermiient  should  continue 
the  work  of  reform,  commenced  that  of  persecution 
against  Governor  Prei'ost,  whose  mild  and  judicious 
administration  of  the  government,  and  whose  unwil- 
lingness to  administer  to  the  voracious  appetites  of 
the  official  vultures,  had  rendered  him  an  object  of 
hatred  to  the  tories  of  the  Canadas.  They  accused 
him  of  having  occasioned  the  loss  of  the  battle  of 
Plattsburgh,  where  the  faded  laurels  and  the  bleached 
bones  of  the  flower  of  the  British  army  mark  the 
limits  of  the  sacred  soil  of  freedom,  never  to  be  pol- 
luted by  the  mercenary  bands  of  tyrannical  Eng- 
land ;  and  unwilling  to  attribute  their  shameful  de- 
feat to  the  superior  skill  and  valour  of  their  enemy, 
they  declared  the  commander-in-chief  to  have  been 
the  cause  of  the  disasters  of  that  dav,  and  Pre  vest 
was  sacrificed. 

Elated  by  this  success,  the  officials  and  their  ad- 
herents now  applied  themselves  to  all  available 
means  of  destroying  the  ascendancy  of  the  French 
portion  of  the  population ;  and  blinded  by  their  vio- 

3 


Uh 


!      I 


■  f 


26 


I  "I 


lent  prejudices,  they,  in  1822,  suggested  to  the  impe- 
rial parliament  the  nefarious  plan  of  uniting  the  two 
provinces,  and  of  wresting  from  seven-eighths  of  the 
population  tlie  rights  and  ])rivileges  guarantied  to 
them  by  solemn  treaties.  This  plan  was,  however, 
considered  premature ;  and  owing  less  to  the  loud 
and  just  remonstrances  of  the  Canadians  than  to  the 
paucity  of  British-horn  subjects  then  in  the  i)ro- 
vinccs,  it  was  abandoned.  ]3ut,  resolved  upon  this 
act  of  injustice,  the  British  government  encouraged, 
nay,  compelled  emigration  ;  and  myriads  of  wretched 
victims  of  spiritual  and  political  oppressions  were 
thrown  upon  the  shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  Mean- 
while, the  imperinl  government,  by  the  ministry  of 
its  base  agent  and  impotent  screen,  the  legislative 
council,  was  fomenting  difliculties  in  the  province; 
and  this  body  now  avowed  itself  the  representatives 
of  a  section  of  the  population  denominated  by  Lord 
Durham  the  Anglo-Saxons ;  and  being,  by  the  con- 
stitution, irresponsible  to  any  other  branch  of  the 
government,  shamefully  opposed  every  measure  cal- 
culated to  promote  the  welfare  and  education  of  the 
people. 

As  this  odious  branch  of  a  vicious  system  lias 
contributed  more  tlian  any  other  cause  to  the  ca- 
lamities which  have  oppressed  the  Canadas  for  many 
years,. and  brought  about  the  prostration  of  an  ho- 
nest, virtuous,  and  intelligent  people,  it  is  proper  to 
hold  up  to  the  scorn  and  indignation  of  mankind  its 
leading  members.  Jonathan  Scwell,  an  American 
tory,  distinguished  for  his  hatred  of  the  Canadians, 
and  for  his  legal  murder  of  McLean,  was  president 
of  that  body,  although  a  member  of  the  executive 
council,  and  holding  the  incompatible  situation  of 
chief  justice  of  the  province;  Judges  Kerr  and 
Bowen;  John  Caldwell,  former  receiver-general; 
William  Felton,  agent  of  crown  lands;  Louis  Gugy, 
sheriff  of  Montreal ;  H.  Ryland,  pensioner  of  the 
province,  and  several  other  salaried  officers  of  the 


h( 


.(♦ 


he  impe- 
;  tlie  two 
hs  of  the 
intied  to 
lowever, 
the  load 
Lin  to  the 
the  ])ro- 
ipoii  this 
oiiraged, 
yretclicd 
'lis  were 
.  Mean- 
iiistry  of 
gislativc 
rovince ; 
3ntatives 
by  Lord 
the  con- 
1  of  the 
sure  cal- 
n  of  the 

;em  lias 

the  ca- 

)r  many 

an  ho- 
[opcr  to 
kind  its 
Inerican 
adians, 
•esident 
locative 

ion  of 
|rr   and 

ncral ; 

Gnsry, 
|of  the 
lof  the 


1 
-I 


government,  depending  upon  the  annual  vote  of  the 
house  of  assembly,  were  nionibors  of  the  council. 
The  residue  was  com})Osed  of  the  scii^ncnrs  of  the 
province  inimical  to  all  reform  in  the  existing  system 
of  tenure,  and  of  men  who,  like  Francois  Qurinrut, 
liad  obtained  seats  in  that  den  of  tiiieves  by  their  vile 
subserviency  to  the  executive.  Two  honourable 
excei)tions,  however,  deserve  to  be  mentioned;  and 
the  country  owes  a  large  debt  of  gratitude  to  tiic 
truly  honourable  Denis  15.  Viger,  and  Pascal  do 
Sales  Laterriere.  These  two  brave  and  sincere 
lovers  of  their  country  liave  ever  been  ready  to  de- 
vote their  brilliant  talents  and  profound  knowledge 
to  the  protection  of  the  rights  of  British  subjects 
without  distinction.  The  first  has  expiated  that 
crin:e  by  an  imprisomiient  of  eighteen  months  in  the 
dungeons  of  Montreal,  at  the  age  of  more  than  three- 
score and  ten  years.  Of  the  above  enumerated 
honourables,  the  chief  justice,  president  of  the  le- 
gislative, and  member  of  the  executive  councils  of 
the  province,  was  impeached  by  the  house  of  as- 
sembly, and  called  to  England,  where,  the  people  of 
Canada  having  no  representative  or  agent,  he  was 
acquitted.  Judge  Kerr  was,  upon  impeachment, 
dismissed  from  his  functions  as  judge  of  the  Court 
of  Appeals,  Court  of  King's  IJencli,  and  surrogate 
of  the  Court  of  Admiralty.  Judge  liowen  was  un- 
der impeachment  when  the  constitution  was  sus- 
pended. John  Caldwell  robbed  the  province  of  a 
million  of  dollars,  and  was  allowed  to  sit  in  the 
council  several  years  after  his  detection,  and  is  at 
this  time  at  large,  residing  at  the  Great  Falls,  on  the 
river  St.  John,  robbing  the  state  of  Maine  of  her 
best  timber.  He  was  expelled  the  council  on  the 
])raycr  of  the  House.  "William  Felton  swindled  the 
government  out  of  40,000  acres  of  land,  and  of 
innumerable  sums  of  money.  He,  too,  was  turned 
out  of  oflice,  and  expelled  tlie  council.  Louis  Gugy 
was  also  impeached  by  the  House  for  malversation, 


M 


i 


i) 


[  \ 


'  ^; 


28 


and  deprived  of  liis  office,  yielding  25,000/.  per 
annum.  Such,  reader,  were  the  leading  men  of  that 
branch  of  the  legislature  so  justly  stigmatized  as  a 
public  nuisance. 

The  feeling  of  that  set  of  public  plunderers  next 
exhibited  itself  inthe  rejection  of  all  bills  presented 
to  them  by  the  House  tending  to  ameliorate  the  con- 
dition of  a  people  who,  by  its  representatives,  dis- 
turbed their  system  of  robbery  and  crime.  Innu- 
merable proofs  could  be  adduced  of  their  hostility 
to  the  popular  branch  of  the  legislature,  but  it  may 
be  confined  to  one  which  shows,  at  the  same  time, 
the  mean  subservience  of  that  contemptible  body  to 
the  will  of  the  executive. 

The  house  of  assembly  of  Lower  Canada,  find- 
ing that  the  pecuniary  resources  of  the  country  were 
almost  wholly  absorbed  by  the  wants  and  actual 
necessities  of  an  enormous  emigration,  cast  destitute 
on  its  shores,  passed  a  bill  imposing  a  tax  of  one 
dollar  upon  each  emigrant  landed  in  Canada — 
thereby  forming  a  fund  for  the  relief  of  those  un- 
fortunate beings.  This  bill  was  sent  to  the  cour^'il, 
who  rejected  it  with  indignation,  as  being  dictated 
by  a  desire  on  the  part  of  the  French  Canadians  to 
exclude  British-born  subjects  from  the  province. 
The  next  day  the  governor  received  and  communi-' 
Gated  to  the  same  council,  a  despatch  from  the  co- 
lonial secretary,  recommending  absolutely  this  iden- 
tical measure  of  protection  for  the  emigrant.  This 
was  a  strange  coincidence,  and  one  would  suppose 
the  Canadian  senate  would  have  hesitated  to  adopt, 
as  a  wise  and  liberal  measure,  that  which  they  had 
the  day  before  rejected  as  a  selfish  and  injurious 
provision.  But  they  were  above  shame,  and  de- 
spised consistency.  They  copied  the  very  bill  re- 
jected with  so  much  contempt,  and  sent  it  to  the 
House,  asking  its  adoption. 

It  had  long  been  evident  to  some  of  the  able  Ca- 
nadian politicians,  that  Great  Britain  was  resolved 


u 


)' 


lOO/.  per 
n  of  that 
zed 


as  a 


I'crs  next 
)rescrited 

the  con- 
ives,  dis- 
!.     Innii- 

hostihty 
it  it  may 
me  time, 
J  body  to 

ida,  find- 

[try  were 

id  actual 

destitute 

X  of  one 

'anada — 

hose  un- 

cour''il, 

dictated 

idians  to 

)rovince. 

>mmuni-' 

the  co- 

lis  iden- 

t.     Tliis 

suppose 

o  adopt, 

hey  had 

njurious 

and  de- 

bill  re- 

to  the 

ible  Ca- 
[•esolved 


29 

upon  the  destruction  of  the  F'rench  Canadian  ascen- 
dancy in  Lower  Canada,  and  that,  unwilhng  to  as- 
sume the  blame  and  rcsponsil)ilily  of  any  direct 
measure  tending  to  that  ohjijct,  the  plan  of  tlie  go- 
vernment was  to  exasperate  that  people  by  a  dis- 
honest policy,  and  render  them  instrumental  to  their 
own  ruin. 

Such  has  been  the  diabolical  policy  of  England 
towards  her  Canadian  subjects.  Thus,  too,  has  ever 
been  her  policy  with  Ireland,  forever  staining  her 
bloody  escutcheon.  Promises  of  reform  followed 
by  additional  oppression  and  insult,  liave  charac- 
terized her  conduct  during  more  than  thirty  years, 
and  the  conviction  of  the  Canadian  politicians,  tiiat 
such  was  the  aim  and  object  of  the  Imperial  po- 
vcrnnient,  and  their  unwillingness  to  plunge  their 
country  into  the  horrors  of  a  civil  war,  sutliciently 
and  satisfactorily  accounts  for  their  long  endurance 
of  so  odious  a  system.  They  had  seen  their  brothers" 
shot  down  in  the  streets  of  Montreal,  in  1832,  and 
the  perpetrators  of  that  deed  of  blood  complimented 
by  Lord  Aylmer,  their  governor,  and  favourably 
noticed  by  their  sovereign  in  England.  They  had 
Avitnossed  the  pillage  of  the  revenues  of  tiie  pro- 
vince. They  had  long  been  pained  by  the  shame- 
ful spectacle  of  a  vile  soldiery,  converting  the  halls 
of  learninji  and  science  into  licentious  barracks ; 
and  of  a  horde  of  bloated  slaves  of  government,  ap- 
propriating to  their  voluptuous  enjoyments  the  reve- 
nues of  the  Jesuits'  estates,  desiorned  for  the  education 
of  the  people.  Their  protectors  had  often  been  cast 
into  dungeons  and  persecuted  for  daring  to  raise 
then'  voice  in  favour  of  an  oppressed  and  insulted 
people.  They  saw  themselves  degraded  and  ex- 
(huled  from  all  places  of  honour  in  the  gift  of  a 
]iartial  govennnent,  as  a  race  of  men  ii!feri(n'  to  their 
haughty  Anglo-Saxon  co-subjects.  They  foresaw 
nothing  but  degradation  and  slavery  for  their  off- 
spring.    Yes,  tliis  outroL'-ed  people  saw,  and  they 

'3* 


I. 


p 


i 


^!l; 


;  jti 


«(: 


■ill 


]0 


'1 


;^ 


keenly  felt,  all  these  evils,  and  were  daily  subjected 
to  innumerable  and  indescribable  acts  of  injustice. 
But,  what  could  they  do,  surrounded  as  they  were 
by  an  armed  force,  unarmed  themselves,  and  de- 
prived of  the  means  of  providing  weapons  ehher 
of  defence  or  attack.  Worse  than  all,  their  vile 
government,  with  its  accustomed,  wily  hypocrisy, 
its  gold,  and  its  specious  promises,  had  found  means 
to  divide  them. 

In  1834,  an  etfort  was  made  to  unite  all  classes 
of  reformers ;  and  the  house  of  assembly  of  Lower 
Canada,  l)y  the  adoption  and  promulgation  of  the 
celebrated  ninety-two  resolutions,  convinced  Great 
Britain  that  her  perfidious  policy  was  well  under- 
stood by  the  Canadians.  A  general  election  soon 
followed,  and,  as  was  anticipated,  showed  an  in- 
crease of  strength  in  the  ranks  of  the  reformists. 
Lord  Aylmer,  who  had  shed  the  innocent  blood  of 
Canadians,  was  then  recalled,  and  rewarded  by 
his  sovereign  for  having,  more  than  any  other  ser- 
vant of  the  crown,  accelerated  the  result  aimed  at  by 
the  barbarous  diplomacy  of  the  government. 

Lord  Gosford  subsequently  took  the  reins  of  the 
Lower  Canadian  government.  In  a  speech  prepared 
for  him  by  the  colonial  ministers,  he  reviewed  the 
catalogue  of  long  existing  grievances,  and  with  a 
view  to  induce  the  house  of  assembly  to  grant  him 
the  supplies  previously  refused  by  that  body,  he 
faithfully  promised  their  immediate  redress,  boldly 
declaring  that  his  master,  convinced  of  the  justice 
of  the  demand  of  his  beloved  Canadian  subjects,  had 
ordered  him  to  grant  all  they  asked,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  elegibility  of  the  council.  This  speech 
caused  an  intense  sensation  throughout  the  country, 
and  the  confiding  Canadian  people  once  more  began 
to  think  that  justice  would  at  last  be  done  to  them. 
But  tlieir  representatives,  long  accustomed  to  the 
bare-faced  dishonesty  of  those  sent  to  govern  them, 
and  feelingly  aUve  to  the  insults  and  abuse  they  had 


:il)joctc'd 
tijuslico. 
ey  were 
iiid  de- 
s  cither 
eir  vile 
pocrisy, 
I  means 

[  classes 
Lower 
of  the 

I  Great 
under- 

II  soon 
an  in- 

3rmists, 
lood  of 
led  by 
ler  ser- 
d  at  by 

of  the 

epared 

d  the 

with  a 

t  him 

dv,  lie 

oldly 

iistice 

s,  had 

xcep- 

pecch 

nntry, 

began 

them. 

»    the 

hem, 

Y  had 


m^ 


I 


31 

siiflercd,  were  determined  to  act  with  caution.  On 
the  other  hand,  Lord  Gosford,  and  his  associates  in 
the  humbug  commission,  used  every  possible  means 
art  could  invent,  to  procure  the  aid  of  some  of  the 
leading  members  of  the  house.  Among  other  plans 
resorted  to,  was  the  holding  out  as  a  bait  to  the 
lawyers,  too  numerous  in  that  body,  as  well  as  our 
legislatures,  the  seat  on  the  bench  vacated  by  the 
dismissal  of  Judge  Kerr,  as  a  reward  for  their  exer- 
tions in  favour  of  a  bill  of  supplies,  which  had  been 
immediately  asked  for  by  the  government,  and  who 
had  pressed  the  measure  with  great  anxiety. 

It  was  so  fated,  however,  that  an  occurrence 
should  soon  follow  to  blight  the  flattering  hopes  of 
the  people,  and  undeceive  them  as  to  the  intentions 
of  their  lying  governor,  who,  like  his  predecessors, 
had  been  chosen  their  ruler  by  a  perfidious  govern- 
ment, for  no  other  qualifications  than  his  miparal- 
lelled  hypocrisy  and  his  high  acquirements  as  a 
practitioner  in  the  courts  of  intrigue  and  deception. 
Sir  Francis  Bond  Head,  who  had  lately  assumed  the 
government  of  Upper  Canada,  had  laid  before  the 
legislature  of  the  province  his  instructions,  which 
purported  to  be  similar  to  those  given  to  Lord  Gos- 
ford, who  had  communicated  to  the  legislature  of 
Lower  Canada  mere  extracts  and  garbled  passages 
of  his  orders  from  the  colonial  ministers.  The  re- 
formers of  Upper  Canada,  supposing,  from  the  tone 
of  the  reform  press  in  the  lower  province,  that  some 
deceit  had  been  practised  upon  tlieir  brothers  there, 
caused  a  copy  of  the  instructions  of  Sir  F.  IJ.  Ileacl 
to  be  sent  by  their  speaker,  JNIr.  Bid  well,  to  the 
Lower  Canada  legislature.  This  occurred  several 
■weeks  after  the  opening  of  parliament,  during  whicii 
the  house  had  wisely  delayed  the  question  of  the 
subsidies.  The  news  of  the  deception  was  rapidly 
promulgated  tln'oughout  the  province,  and  excited 
more  a  feeling  of  contempt  for  Lord  Gosford,  than 
of  disappointment  at  his  treachery,  and  it  was  soon 


i 


i 


1 


'M 


1 


III 


ii 


33 


.'1 


, 


4 


discovered  that  his  instructions  absohitely  forbade 
jMiy  ol'  the  relbrnis  which  lie  liad  so  solemnly  pro- 
mised. He  became  an  object  of  hatred  with  some, 
of  contemj)!  with  others,  and  in  vain  did  he  try  to 
convince  the  peoi)le  that  liis  intentions  Avere  favour- 
able to  Canada,  that  he  would  write  for  new  instruc- 
tions, and  fulfil  Iiis  promises  if  the  supplies  were 
granted.  Such  protestations  were  loudly  and  re- 
peatedly made  by  the  members  of  the  former  mi- 
nority, and  by  the  new  friends  whom  the  promises 
of  reward  had  procured  for  the  executive.  Among 
the  names  of  those  wlio  deserted  their  constituents, 
and  prostituted  their  talents  to  shelter  Lord  Gosford 
from  public  odium,  and  to  induce  the  House  to  grant 
the  necessary  subsidies  for  so  despicable  a  govern- 
ment, is  to  be  found  that  of  the  notorious  George  Van- 
felson,  an  unprincipled  lawyer  of  some  legal  acquire- 
ment, but  who  now  feels  convinced  that  his  political 
delinquencies  have  forever  ruined  him  in  the  opinion 
of  the  people,  and  that  his  impaired  reputation  for 
lionesty  debars  him  from  ever  obtaining  a  situation 
under  even  the  immoral  government  of  Canada,  as 
the  reward  of  his  numerous  acts  of  apostasy  to  his 
constituents  and  country.  Edward  Carron,  another 
lawyer  of  limited  talents,  will  take  rank  with  his 
associate.  The  colonial  government,  ever  anxious  to 
encourage  villany  and  to  reward  it,  has  just  appointed 
him  mayor  of  the  city  of  Quebec.  These  two  apos- 
tates were  immediately  hurled  from  their  seats  in 
the  House,  by  their  indignant  constituency  compel- 
ling them  to  resign.  Elzear  Bedard,  the  son  of  the 
patriotic  Judge  Bedard,  who  has  since  received  the 
reward  of  his  treachery  to  his  compatriots,  was  no- 
minated judge,  for  which  exalted  station  his  narrow 
l)igotry  and  his  known  dishonesty  disqualified  him. 
Several  others  were  induced  by  them  to  suppoj't 
Lord  Gosford  in  his  demand  of  subsidies,  but  their 
dishonest  efforts  proved  fruitless,  and  the  demand 
was  rejected. 


.*j( 


33 


'  forbade 
iiiily  pro- 
itii  some, 
ho  tiy  to 
3  favour- 
/■  iustruc- 
ies  were 
and  re- 
mer  mi- 
promisos 
Among 
ititnents, 
Goslbrd 
to  grant 
govcrn- 
ge  Van- 
acquire- 
political 
opinion 
lion  for 
ituation 
lada,  as 
to  his 
mother 
th  his 
ions  to 
)ointed 
apos- 
ats  in 
Dmpel- 
of  the 
ed  the 
as  no- 
arrow 
him. 
ippoj't 
tlieir 
mand 


I 

4 


An  offer  was  then  made  to  the  executive  to  grant 
the  means  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  govermiKMit 
dnriiig  six  months,  to  enable  the  governor  to  ask  tor 
new  instrnctions,  based  n})on  iiis  })resent  knowledire 
of  the  affairs  of  the  province.  A  bill  to  that  elliM't 
wns  introdnced  and  passed  in  the  honse  ol"  assembly, 
but  was  rejected  by  the  irresponsible  council,  who 
liad  long  since  declared  itself  the  re))resentative  of 
the  ultra  tory  party,  who  so  effectually  assisted  the 
base  government  to  drive  the  people  to  open  resist- 
ance. 

This  vile  screen  of  the  tyrants  of  Downing  Street, 
incensed  at  the  repeated  refusal,  on  the  part  of  the 
people,  to  give  up  tlie  only  constitutional  check  they 
possessed,  upon  the  encroachments  of  the  executive 
and  the  insolence  of  the  cormorants  of  government, 
and  abushig  their  fatal  irresponsibility,  rejected  seve- 
ral useful  and  indispensable  bills  passed  by  the  as- 
sembly, among  which  was  "  an  act  for  the  encou- 
ragement of  education."  By  this  immoral  niid 
wanton  proceeding,  the  senate  of  Canada  closed  the 
doors  of  the  public  schools,  where  forty  thousand 
children  were  educated  gratuitously. 

This  session  of  the  Lower  Canada  parliament 
was  closed  by  a  hypocritical  speech  from  the  throne, 
in  which  Lord  Gosford  expressed  his  sorrow  that 
the  House  had  refused  to  grant  to  the  executive  the 
means  of  carrying  on  the  government ;  thereby,  lie 
added,  exhibiting  a  want  of  confidence  in  the  sin- 
cerity oi  iheix  gracious  sovereign,  who  had  solemnly 
promised  to  reform  the  abuses  of  government  : 
and  his  lordship  concluded  by  threatening  the  pro- 
vince with  the  awful  effects  of  their  refusal  to  trust 
their  treasury  in  the  hands  of  their  honest  rulers ; 
and  to  abandon  the  only  constitutional  means  left 
the  people  to  compel  the  crown  to  grant  them  jus- 
tice. 

Agitation  became  intense.  Meetings  took  place 
in  every  town,  village,  and  parish,  and  votes  of 


!  f 


ill 


rn! 


!i- 


34 


1 

i 


'    \ 


'31 


I* : 

i.i: 


•it 


thanks  were  ofTered  to  the  innjorily  of  tlic  House, 
who  liad  ivuKiiiied  Ih'iu  in  tlie  duleiiro  ol"  tlie  riglits 
ol"  the  ])eo[ile.  Ihit  a  tyrannical  government  had 
loni^  shiee  de<erniined  to  coniniit  a  double  act  ol" 
injustic(;;  the  distVanchisement  ol*  the  French  part 
of  the  population,  and  the  restriction  of  the  consti- 
tutional liberties  of  the  Anglo-Saxons,  (as  Lord 
Durhjini  called  them,)  who,  blinded  by  their  narrow 
prejudices  against  the  first  settlers  in  Canada,  owing 
to  their  origin  and  their  religion,  did  not  perceive 
that  they  were  assisting  the  iJritisli  government  to 
circumscribe  their  own  rights,  and  to  restrict  their 
privileges.  After  liaving  contrihuted  by  their  cla- 
mours to  the  disfranchisement  of  the  French  Cana- 
dians, they  now  find  themselves  reduced  to  a  state 
of  si.'ivery  under  a  despotic  ruler,  with  the  painful 
conviction,  that  the  constitution  promised  them  is  a 
mere  mockery. 

Various  associations  were  then  formed,  among 
which  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty"  and  the  "Doric  Club" 
were  the  most  conspicuous.  The  former  was  com- 
posed of  zealous  reformists,  and  the  latter  of  the 
most  virulent  enemies  of  the  French  Canudians. 
These  bodies,  who  were  destined  to  be  the  actors  in 
the  first  trial  of  strength  between  the  parties,  were 
stationed  in  JMontreal. 

If  any  thing  at  this  period  had  been  required  to 
exasperate  the  public  feeling,  and  to  endanger  the 
peace  of  the  country,  it  was  found  in  tlie  intelligence 
that  the  imperial  parliament,  trampling  upon  the 
constitutional  rights  of  the  people,  had  illegally  arro- 
gated to  itself  the  right  of  seizing  upon  the  treasury 
of  the  province,  and  of  distributing  its  contents 
among  the  irresponsible  officials.  That  tyramiical 
measure  was  communicated  to  the  parliament  by 
LordGosford,wlio  tauntingly  and  insultingly  charged 
the  representatives  of  the  people  with  the  blame 
of  that  atrocious  act  of  despotism,  and  with  the  evil 
consequences   that  might  fiow  from   its  adoption. 


1 

e' 
c 
ii 


V!f. 


d  to 
r  the 
eijce 
the 
arro- 
isury 
euls 
iiical 
by 
ged 
a  mo 
evil 
ion. 


This  was  llie  last  coninnmiration  that  took  place 
botwceii  the  exectitivi^  iiiid  the  ])eopl(!  throu^li  their 
rcprt'si'iifativt's.  llali\'d  and  contempt  lor  so  base 
and  cniel  a  [government  were  then  openly  expressed, 
and  the  conutry  appeared  to  he  on  the  verire  of  rc- 
Ix.'lUon.  The  reports  of  i)nblic  meetings  and  their 
proceedings  were  constantly  thundering  in  the  cars 
of  government,  convincing  J^ord  Gosford  that  the 
Canadians  would  not  tamely  submit  to  be  driven 
into  a  worse  state  of  slavery  than  tliey  had  already 
endured.  Rencounters  followed,  and  one  in  ])arli- 
cular  threatened  to  be  the  commencement,  and  was 
in  tact  the  prelude  to  civil  war. 

The  ''Sons  of  Liberty"  iiaving  assembled  to  ex- 
press their  indignation  at  the  conduct  of  the  British 
])arhanient,  were  attacked  by  the  "Doric  Club,"  in 
the  streets  of  Montreal ;  but  after  a  long  conlliet, 
they  drove  their  enemies  before  them,  and  reaped 
the  first  laurels  in  the  struggle  of  freemen  agaiust 
oppression  in  Canada.  It  is  said  no  firearms  were 
used  on.  the  occasion ;  but  swords,  axes,  and  other 
deadly  weapons  were  seen  in  the  hands  of  the  Doric 
Chib.  None  were  killed, but  many  severely  wounded. 
The  Sons  of  Liberty  dispersing  after  the  contest,  the 
Doric  Club  and  military  who  conducted  them  re- 
assembled, mobbed  and  destroyed  the  ])riiiting 
ollice  of  the  "  Vindicator ;"  and  although  tins  out- 
rage was  committed  in  open  day,  and  in  the  pre- 
sence of  several  magistrates,  no  notice  was  taken 
of  it  by  the  authorities. 

It  then  became  evident  that  a  general  conflict 
could  not  long  be  delayed.  An  immense  meeting 
had  taken  place  at  St.  Charles,  on  the  river  Cham- 
bly,  where  a  liberty  pole  was  erected,  and  a 
solemn  engagement  entered  into  by  thousands  to 
free  their  country  from  oppression,  or  perish  in  the 
attempt.  Louis  Joseph  Papineau,  in  whose  person 
the  love,  admiration,  and  confidence  of  a  whole  peo- 
ple was  concentrated,  addressed  the  immense  crowd 


i?! 


!/ 


I 


I' 


3() 


\i 


{ 


'I 


of  hravc  men  boforo  him,  promising  to  guide  tlicm  m 
tlieir  l.'iu(l;il)l('  cllorls  in  tin;  sacn^d  canso  of  freedom, 
andsolennily  swearing  to  conciner  or  die  at  the  liead 
of  the;  patriot  phalanx  now  arranged  against  tyranny 
and  opj)ression.  How  far  he  has  accompHshed  that 
solemn  vow  will  he  made  evident  to  the  reader  in 
succeeding  pages  of  this  work.  On  liis  liead  rests  a 
fcarfnl,  an  awfnl  rcsponsibihty.  "  St.  Charles"  was 
destined  to  witness  the  zenith  of  liis  glory,  and  the 
loss  of  ills  honour.  Instead  of  the  brave  devoted 
leader,  the  Canadians  found  in  him  the  pusillanimous 
coward.  In  him  they  liad  raised  a  colossus; — he 
crnshed  them  in  his  fall. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


St.  Charles — Arrest  and  rescue  of  Desmarais  and  Davignon — Battles 
of  St.  Dciiriiii  and  St.  Charles. 


i 


'n 


The  23d  day  of  October..  1837,  will  be  a  me- 
morable epoch  in  the  history  of  Lower  Canada.  It 
was  a  proud  day  for  the  lovers  of  liberty.  The 
people,  smarting  under  the  lash  of  injustice,  and  the 
lyraimy  of  their  rulers,  assembled  in  solenni  conven- 
tion on  the  banks  of  the  Chambly,  to  seek  a  remedy 
for  their  wrongs — to  protest  against  the  proceedings 
of  their  govermuent,  and  to  pledge  their  faith  unto 
each  other  to  resist  further  encroachments  from  their 
ruling  despots.  It  was  an  animating  and  soul-stir- 
ing  scene.  The  immense  crowds  assembled  around 
the  emblem  representing  their  most  ardent  wishes, 
and  poiu'ing  forth  their  fervent  prayers  to  the 
God  of  justice  for  the  speedy  liberation  of  their  op- 
pressed country — the  numerous  brilliant  banners, 
reflecting,  as  it  were,  the  sentiments  which  animated 


37 


lliL'ir  ])osoms — llio  rloqucnt  appeals  to  tho  Cldddi^ss 
ot*  Jjilicrty,  and  ll»e  burning  (Icniuiciatioiis  of  lluj 
tyrants  who  wislit'il  to  jxTpctuatc;  their  sliivcry — tho 
diizzliiiL,'  (l('scri])tifM)s  ot"  thr  iiivaliiahlo  Messina's  cii- 
joyi'd  hy  tliu  Aiii<  icaiis — the  joyous  aechiniatioiis 
ol"  thousands,  ('oiiunin<,ded  with  tlie  tlunider  of  can- 
non, echoed  and  re-eclioed  by  tlic  surrounding 
mountains,  were  all  calculated  to  inspire  the  spec- 
tator with  not  only  awe  and  admiration,  but  with 
thos(!  pure  and  lol'ty  fccliiiijs  of  ])atriotism,  which 
have  dictated  and  achieved  the  only  great  ])rinciples 
ol"  ('(piality  and  freedom  whose  institutions  adoni 
the  earth. 

Here  Pa])ineau's  genius  soared  beyond  passing 
events,  and,  penetrating  the  secrets  of  futurity,  ex- 
hibited before  the  eyes  of  ids  admiring  countrymen, 
Canada  regenerated,  disenthralled,  and  blessed  with 
a  hberal  government,  under  the  auspices  of  which, 
favoured  as  it  was  witli  the  richest  gifts  of  Providence, 
inhabitcid  by  a  virtuous  and  hardy  race  of  men,  emu- 
lating her  liappy  neighbours  in  the  arts,  the  sciences, 
and  in  wealth.  Pointing  out  to  them  the  road  to 
freedom,  and  swearing  to  head  the  sacred  phalanx 
enrolled  under  the  banner  of  liberty,  his  bravo 
hearers  pledged  "  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and 
their  sacred  honour,"  for  the  regeneration  of  their 
country,  and  in  a  burst  of  entlmsiastic  devotion  pro- 
claimed themselves  ready  to  follow  him  to  liberty 
or  death. 

Every  county — every  parish  in  the  province  re- 
sponded with  enlhusiasm  to  the  solemn  appeal  of 
this  convention,  and  resolutions  expressive  of  their 
want  of  confidence  in  their  rulers  in  Downing  Street, 
and  of  their  determination  to  obtain  justice  route 
f/ui  couie,  were  everywhere  immediately  adopted. 
Pa))incau  was  invited  to  preside  ;\t  meetings  in 
various  parts  of  the  province,  and  was  everywhere 
"•eceived  as  the  acknowledged  leader  in  whom  tlie 
people   placed  unlimited  confidence.     His  journey 


i 


i. 

i 


.^ 


!l 


III' 


i 


1/ 


38 


1  'i( 
1 1 


B: 


I 
I 


4 


W 


tlirough  the  counties  was  one  continued  triumph, 
and  his  receptions  resembled  more  the  welcome 
oUcrcd  to  a  mihtary  chieftain  by  his  troops  on  the 
ove  of  battle,  than  the  greetings  of  liospitable  citi- 
zens. Companies  of  armed  men  escorted  him  every- 
where, and  amid  the  discharge  of  musketry  and  ar- 
tillery could  be  heard  the  loud  and  determined  vow 
to  fight  and  die  if  necessary  under  such  a  champion. 
It  now  become  evident  that  a  crisis  was  at  iiand, 
and  the  apparent  stupor  of  the  local  government 
brought  forth  the  most  violent  censure  against  the 
executive,  from  the  loyalists,  and  was  a  source  of 
astonislim'^nt  to  all.  However,  the  true  policy  of 
the  governn.'iut  was  soon  made  known.  The  ex- 
ecutive council  lield  several  extra  sessions,  and  the 
result  was  the  emanation  of  numerous  warrants  for 
high  treason,  against  most  of  the  conspicuous  actors 
in  the  proceedings,  condemnatory  of  the  despotic 
and  criminal  seizure  of  the  treasury  of  the  Province 
by  the  British  ministry. 

A  detachment  of  the  Montreal  volunteer  cavalry, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Moulson,  proceeded  to 
St.  John's,  and  arrested  P.  P.  Desmarais,  and  Dr.  Jo- 
seph Davignon,  two  highly  respectable  and  influential 
gentlemen  of  that  place,  and  with  a  view  to  strike 
terror  to  the  minds  of  the  people  of  that  part  of  the 
district  of  Montreal,  where  the  excitement  appeared 
the  most  intense.  The  valiant  band  of  horsemen 
dragged  their  two  prisoners,  heavily  ironed,  through 
a  circuitous  route,  along  the  populous  and  patriotic 
bnnks  of  the  river  Chambly.  But  the  brave  men 
of  that  section  of  the  country,  though  unaccustomed 
to  the  gorgeous  display  of  military  bands,  were  not 
to  be  intimidated  by  the  martial  appearance  of  the 
Montreal  cavalry;  and  the  heroes  who  had  achieved 
the  brilliant  exploit  of  tearing  two  unarmed  men 
out  of  their  beds  at  midnight,  to  avoid  resistance, 
were  soon  to  learn  they  had  put  but  a  poor  estimate 
upon  the  character  of  the  men  whom  they  sought 


4 


i 


M:; 


39 


Lunipli, 
olcomc 
on  the 
lie  citi- 
every- 
md  ar- 
:d  vow 
mpion. 
t  liand, 
rnment 
nst  the 
[uce  of 
ihcy  of 
^hc  ex- 
md  the 
ants  for 
s  actors 
lespotic 
'rovince 


sOUgllt 


to  frighten  into  snhniission  to  the  will  of  a  govern- 
^  niont  which  l»ad  proved  partial,  and  was  in  itself 

^  the  accomplice  of  the  most  violent  and  deadly  ene- 

mies of  the  Canadian  race. 

The  silly  por])etrators  of  this  vain  parade  of  two 
of  the  most  valncd  friends  of  the  people,  in  so  aflect- 
ing  a  sitnation,  amid  men  already  rendered  despe- 
rate hy  years  of  suffering  and  numberless  acts  of 
British  arrogance,  would  liave  been  exterminated 
before  tlioy  had  proceeded  far  in  their  triumphal 
march,  had  it  not  been  felt  by  the  leaders  of  the 
people,  that  instead  of  disheartening  their  party,  the 
sisht  of  two  honest  and  respected  citizens,  thus 
abused  and  insulted,  for  having  advocated  the  prin- 
ciples of  equal  rights  and  equal  justice,  would  exas- 
perate the  citizens  and  cement  their  union  in  defence 
of  their  constitutional  privileges.  However,  it  was 
resolved,  that  the  two  prisoners  should  be  rescued 
before  they  reached  Montreal.  A  bold  party  of 
farmers,  of  the  parish  of  Longuieul,  volunteered 
their  services,  and  taking  post  behind  a  fence  on  the 
main  road  where  the  cavalcade  had  to  pass,  lay  in 
wait.  Meantime  the  brave  cavaliers  having  already 
traversed  the  whole  of  that  portion  of  the  district 
of  Montreal,  considered  by  the  tories  as  the  crater 
of  the  volcano,  and  exulting  in  the  success  of  their 
daring  enterprise,  enjoying  by  anticipation  the  warm 
reception  and  flattering  compliments  which  awaited 
their  arrival  at  head-quarters,  suddenly  encounter  an 
unarmed  man,  who  advances  towards  the  carriage 
containing  the  prisoners,  a  fellow  by  the  name  of 
INIalo — a  renegade  Canadian  constable — and  several 
other  guards,  and  seizing  the  rein  of  one  of  the 
leading  horses,  orders  the  driver  to  stop.  The  dar- 
ing attempt  is  met  by  a  shot  from  Male's  rifle,  and 
the  discharge  of  several  pistols  at  the  brave  fellow, 
who  nothing  daunted,  holds  firmly  the  leaders,  and 
repeats  his  order,  whilst  the  whistling  of  the  balls 
from  the  fowling  pieces,  from  behind  the  fence,  in- 


L 

If 


h 


I 


1  !l 


\i 


ifi 


■!    f 


i  Ml! 


I ';  <!• 


40 

duces  the  "  Queen*s  braves^^  to  decamp  across  the 
fields,  leaving  the  carriage  and  prisoners  a  prize  to 
the  friends  of  Messrs  Davignon  and  Dcsmarais.  One 
of  those  gallant  soldiers,  however,  discliarged  his 
pistol  at  the  prisoners  before  running  away ;  but  so 
precipitately,  and  from  a  hand  trembling  with  fear, 
that  it  did  no  otlicr  execution  than  grazing  the 
shoulder  of  Mr.  Desmarais.  This  first  adventurous 
little  skirmish  convinced  the  people,  that  hostilities 
had  commenced  in  earnest,  and  that  the  question 
between  them  and  the  government  must  be  decided 
by  the  sword.  It  also  inspired  confidence  in  the 
party,  showing  them  that  the  disciplined  mercenaries 
of  tyrants  are  far  from  invulnerable  when  opposed 
by  men  resolved  to  be  free. 

The  affrighted  party  of  cavalry  arrived  at  Mon- 
treal en  dcroute,  reporting  that  the  whole  section 
of  country  through  which  they  had  passed  had 
risen  en  masse.  On  the  following  morning,  Lieut. 
Col.  Wetherall,  Capt.  Glasgow,  and  Capt.  David, 
of  the  Montreal  cavalry,  each  with  a  detachment 
under  his  command,  took  up  their  line  of  march 
to  the  place  of  the  skirmish,  accompanied  by  the 
deputy  sheriff  of  Montreal,  and  two  magistrates, 
with  orders  to  march  through  the  district  of  Cham- 
bly  and  overawe  the  disaffected  habitans.  Hos- 
tilities were  now  commenced.  "  The  long  desired 
blow  is  at  last  struck  by  the  government,"  said  the 
Montreal  Courier,  in  announcing  the  rescue  of  Da- 
vignon and  Desmarais.  "  Blood  has  at  last  been 
shed  by  the  rebels,  who  now  stand  unmasked,  and 
fairly  subject  to  the  worst  penalties  of  the  laws  they 
have  insulted.  No  British  subject  could  desire  bet- 
ter things."  The  other  papers  emulated  tiiis  tone. 
"We  have  reason  to  hope,''^  says  another,  "that  a 
considerable  number  of  additional  arrests  are  likely 
to  be  made.  The  more  men  the  belter."  And  again: 
"  No  stone  must  be  left  unturned  to  ensure  the  arrest 
of  every  man  against  whom  evidence  can  be  found 


|gain : 

irrest 

round 


41 

to  warrant  a  fair  hope  of  liis  conviction. '^  Arrest  now 
succeeded  arrest.  In  JNIontreal  the  jails  were  crowd- 
ed witli  prisoners  of  state ;  the  streets  resounded 
with  tlie  clang  of  arms;  and  the  whole  city  presented 
a  government  reign  of  terror — the  magistrates  hav- 
ing returned  to  Montreal,  and  the  regular  military 
l)eing  stationed  at  Chambly.  The  patriot  strength 
lay  principally  amongst  tlie  devoted  French  popula- 
tion in  the  district  south  of  Montreal,  along  the  Riche- 
lieu, where  the  now  proscribed  leaders,  who  had  thus 
for  escajied  from  arrest,  assembled  and  commenced 
their  organization.  Dr.  Wolfred  Nelson  fortified  his 
precinct  at  St.  Dennis,  and  Mr.  T.  S.  Brown,  and 
others,  theirs  at  St.  Charles,  Avhere  the  most  popular 
adherents  assembled  and  prepared  for  defence. 

The  whole  country  between  the  mtermediate 
points  then  presented  a  scene  of  distress.  Houses 
were  deserted,  with  their  doors  and  windows  nailed 
up,  and  notwithstanding  rigorous  research,  neither 
arms  nor  inmates  could  be  found.  In  some  instances 
the  fires  were  still  burning  when  the  desolate  hearths 
were  invaded  by  the  troops,  but  no  woman  nor 
child  were  there  to  trust  themselves  to  their  military 
visiters.  All  had  fled ;  and  in  a  British  province, 
a  British  commander,  acting  under  the  authority  of 
his  government,  witnessed  the  sad  but  impressive 
spectacle  of  his  presence  being  viewed  by  the  peo- 
ple as  if  a  foreign  and  sanguinary  foe  had  invaded 
their  homes,  instead  of  meeting  the  encouragement 
and  assistance  which  the  recognized  forces  of  a  pa- 
ternal eovernment,  called  in  the  exercise  of  their 
vocation  to  protect  the  public  peace,  and  protect  the 
public  tranquillity,  had  a  right  to  expect. 

Any  person  wlio  has  in  the  slightest  manner  ex- 
amined into  the  objects  of  the  government,  will  liave 
observed  that  it  was  its  policy,  as  well  as  the  policy 
of  the  violent  loyalists  of  Montreal,  to  drive  the  Ca- 
nadians into  measures  which  would  precipitate  the 

outbreak,  and  take  the  advantage  of  their  but  partial 

4* 


' 


r 


!sl 


11 


1    I. 


'I' 

in 


liSi 


ii 


I 


•ii 


1: 

H 


43 

or;;anizatio!ij  their  want  of  discipline  and  arms.  The 
sooner  they  were  driven  into  revolution,  would  the 
discipline  of  tlie  regular  troops,  and  the  rapidity  with 
which  they  could  be  transported  by  steam  vessels  to 
various  sections  of  the  country,  afford  them  a  pros- 
pect of  destroying  their  schemes  in  embryo,  by  seiz- 
ing their  leaders  as  prisoners  for  overt  acts  of  treason, 
or  of  hunting  tliem  from  the  country  of  their  birth  as 
fngitive  exiles.  They  knew  that  in  inclement  weather, 
and  amid  the  deep  snows  of  a  Canadian  winter,  whh 
which  the  revolutionists  were  familiar,  their  advan- 
tages were  greatly  superior  to  those  of  tlie  European 
soldier ;  that  when  the  St.  Lawrence  was  closed  by 
the  ice,  no  relief  could  be  extended  to  them  by  water 
communication,  and  that  they  might  be  starved  out 
if  they  did  not  yield  to  the  patriots.  Such  was  no 
new  policy  for  England.  The  fomenting  and  irritat- 
ing premature  discontent  into  covert  rebellion,  that 
she  might  crush  it  in  its  unorganized  weakness,  by 
the  armed  heel  of  a  mihtary  despotism,  has  been  one 
of  her  boasted  stratagems  of  diplomacy  from  time 
immemorable.  How  often  has  she  thus  visited  un- 
happy Ireland  ?  Let  the  reader  but  peruse  the  history 
of  "  my  own,  my  native  land,"  and  will  he  not  shud- 
der over  the  scenes  of  blood  and  misery  which  have 
followed  in  the  train  of  premature  outbreaks,  and  de- 
feated rebellioi  s  ? 

Of  course,  the  government  could  easily  fancy  out- 
rages enough,  if  not  create  them  ;  and  the  fust,  wliich 
was  a  trivial  affair,  with  regard  to  a  few  bushels  of 
wheat  being  seized  on  its  way  to  Montreal,  was 
sufficient  to  call  for  blood.  The  civil  government  sur- 
rendered its  functions  to  the  commander  of  thp  forces. 
Sir  John  Colborne,  and  the  bayonet  and  the  bullet 
commenced  the  deadly  work.  Lieut.  Col.  Wetherall 
was  strongly  reinforced,  and  ordered  from  his  station 
at  Chambly  to  march  upon  St.  Charles,  there  to  dis- 
perse tiie  patriots  by  process  of  military  assault,  and 
einother  force  to  be  prepared  to  proceed  up  the  river 


m 


43 


M 


s.  The 
Lild  the 
ty  with 
ssels  to 
a  pros- 
w  seiz- 
1  reason, 
birth  as 
/■Gather, 
cr,  with 
advan- 
iropcan 
3sed  by 
y  water 
zed  out 
was  no 
I  irri tat- 
on,  that 
less,  by 
een  one 
m  time 
ted  iin- 
history 
)t  shiid- 
h  have 
xnd  de- 

cy  oiit- 
which 

lels  of 
was 

nt  siir- 
brces, 
bnll(;t 

therall 

station 
o  dis- 
t,  and 
m  liver 


i 


Sorel,  to  co-operate,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Gore,  against 
the  same  point  from  an  opposite  direction,  enclosing 
the  patriots  between  hostile  fires.  This  detachment 
was  the  first  of  the  British  army  which  had  for  years 
been  brought  in  colhsion  with  the  people.  It  left 
Montreal  on  the  22d  November,  consisting  of  four 
companies  of  Infantry,  one  of  artillery,  a  small  body 
of  cavalry,  and  a  howitzer,  and  proceeded  down  the 
St.  Lawrence  to  Sorel,  forty-five  miles,  in  the  steam- 
boat Saint  George,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Hughes,  Capt.  Markham,  and  Capt.  Crompton.  Here 
they  landed  at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  and  in  a  torrent 
of  rain  took  i.j  the  line  of  march  for  the  hostile  dis- 
trict, their  men  wading  in  mud,  knee  deep,  over  roads 
broken  up  by  rain  and  frost. 

On  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  an  unexpected 
accident,  which  had  made  the  patriots  aware  of  their 
proximity,  brought  them  into  conflict  with  a  power- 
ful body  of  the  armed  inhabitants,  by  whom  they 
were  completely  checked.  Lieutenant  Weir,  of  the 
32d  regiment,  had  been  sent  from  Montreal  by 
land,  with  despatches  for  Colonel  Gore,  but,  reach- 
ing Sorel  after  the  expedition  had  departed,  he  hired 
a  caleche,  and  set  oft'  with  a  view  to  overtake  them 
at  St.  Charles.  There  are  two  parallel  roads  from 
Sorel,  which  converge  four  miles  from  St.  Ours. 
On  the  eastern,  and  most  circuitous  route,  the 
troops  had  marched.  Lieutenant  Weir,  by  mistake, 
took  the  other,  and  travelling  much  more  rapidly, 
passed  them,  and  arrived  at  St.  Dennis,  a  small  vil- 
lage on  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  about  2  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  His  expression  of  surprise  at  not 
seeing  soldiers,  was  the  first  intimation  that  hostile 
troops  wore  approaching.  He  was  immediately  ar- 
rested and  searched,  and  his  intelligence  commu- 
nicated to  Doctor  W.  Nelson,  who  took  him  to 
breakfast  with  him,  and  directing  him  to  be  treated 
witli  the  utmost  politeness  and  attention,  prepared 
promptly  and  elHciently  to  dispute  their  passage. 


'k 


« 


11'; 


l<  3 


)N 


jtl? 


II 


If 


1 


i"f 


il 


% 


'!< 


"II'! 


I    h 


■m 


i!! 


44 

Oil  tlie  cavalry,  which  formed  the  advance  guard 
of  the  approaching  detachment,  reaching  St.  Dennis, 
they  found  the  patriots  posted  to  receive  them,  w)io 
fired  upon  them  from  the  houses  and  sides  of  the 
road,  wlien  they  instantly  fell  back  upon  the  main 
body.  The  entire  force  was  then  brought  up,  and, 
after  a  severe  skirmish,  and  several  on  either  side 
killed  and  wounded,  they  succeeded  in  clearing 
most  of  the  houses  and  barns.  The  main  body  of 
the  patriots  were,  however,  stationed  in  a  large, 
strong,  stone  house,  near  the  entrance  of  the  village, 
from  which  a  strong  and  galling  fire  was  kept  up 
upon  the  troops.  Colonel  Gore  directed  the  lire  of 
his  howitzer  against  this  building,  but  such  was  the 
spirit  and  obstinacy  with  which  the  patriots  con- 
tinued their  fire,  that  he  was  compelled  to  retreat 
with  the  loss  of  his  howitzer,  seven  or  eight  killed, 
and  as  many  wounded,  among  whom  was  Captain 
Markham.  The  steamboat  Varennes,  which  had 
been  ordered  to  follow  up  the  river  Richelieu,  to 
support  the  troops  with  supplies  of  provision  and 
ammunition,  was  attacked  by  the  populace  at  St. 
Ours,  about  nine  miles  below  St.  Dennis,  and  driven 
back.  The  troops  were  consequently  compelled  to 
make  their  retreat  in  wretched  plight  back  to  Sorel, 
as  they  best  might,  many  of  them  having  lost  their 
shoes  in  the  mud ;  their  artillery,  and  even  wounded 
comrades  having  been  left  behind,  and  all  being  ut- 
terly fatigued  and  disheartened.  They,  however, 
reached  Sorel  in  safety,  having  met  upon  their  way 
a  considerable  reinforcement  from  Montreal,  sent 
down  in  consequence-  of  the  despatches  which  had 
been  forwarded  with  the  result  of  their  operations, 
and  which,  it  was  deemed  more  prudent,  should 
retrace  its  steps  with  the  detachment  it  had  come  to 
succour. 

The  courage  and  firmness  of  the  patriots  in  this 
action,  cost  tlicm  greater  loss  of  life  than  their  ene- 
mies.    The  merciless  discharge  of  the  howitzer  into 


il 

il 

\j 

11 

r 


45 


ce  guard 
.  Dennis, 
em,  who 
s  of  the 
he  main 
up,  and, 
her  side 
clearing 
body  of 
a  large, 
village, 
kept  up 
3  lire  of 
was  the 
Dts  con- 
retreat 
t  killed. 
Captain 
ch  had 
lieu,  to 
on  and 
at  St. 
driven 
lied  to 
Sorel, 
3t  their 
)unded 
ing  ut- 
ivever, 
r  way- 
sent 
had 
itions, 
hould 
me  to 

this 
ene- 
into 


the  large  building,  which  was  crowded  with  men, 
occasioned  a  ])roi"usc  and  melancholy  destruction  of 
life,  and  many  others  were  killed  and  woujidtnl  by 
musketry  in  the  course  of  the  allhir.  The  entire 
number  has  been  variously  estimated,  and  probably 
was  not  far  short  of  one  hundred — a  frightful  car- 
nage, which  few  will  be  hardy  enough  to  say  was 
rendered  indispensable  by  any  political  necessity. 
Although  this  action  was  attended  with  this  heavy 
loss  to  the  undisciplhied  patriots,  still  it  was  success- 
ful, and  exerted  a  proportionate  inlluence  on  their 
cause.  A  formidable  body  of  royal  troops,  forming 
part  of  a  combined  military  operation  of  the  highest 
importance,  had  been  successfully  intercepted,  and 
compelled  to  make  a  retreat  so  precipitate  that  even 
the  succours  sent  to  their  assistance  were  found  in- 
suilicient  to  retrieve  the  disaster,  and  retrograded 
with  them.  The  friends  of  the  popular  cause  were 
highly  stimulated,  and  the  survivors  at  St.  Dennis 
were  as  ready  to  meet  their  foe  at  St.  Charles,  as 
were  the  heroes  of  Lexington  to  encounter  the  ene- 
my at  Concord. 

The  other  expedition  against  St.  Charles,  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Wetherall,  left  their  station  at 
Chambly,  pursuant  to  instructions,  at  the  same  hour 
and  day  at  which  Colonel  Gore  had  proceeded  from 
Sorel,  but  with  a  stronger  force,  consisting  of  four 
companies  of  the  Royals,  two  of  the  G6th,  two 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  small  body  of  cavalry.  The 
difficulties  in  their  night  march,  from  the  weather 
and  the  roads,  so  retarded  their  progress,  that  they 
only  reached  Rouville,  which  is  about  seven  miles 
from  St.  Charles,  on  the  forenoon  of  Thursday. 
There,  finding  the  bridge  removed,  they  Avere  en- 
forced to  encamp  for  the  night ;  and  the  following 
day  was  likewise  spent  in  refreshing  the  troops  and 
in  obtaining  information.  On  the  morning  of  Satur- 
day, the  whole,  reinforced  by  an  additional  company 
of  the  Royals,  which  liad  followed  them  from  St. 


ij 


J 


l;i 


I 


iluW 

11 


!!, 


46 


,  < 


; 

i 


'A 


nr.' ■ 


W 


lilli* 


Johns,  and  now  amounting  to  upwards  of  five  hun- 
dred men,  reached  St.  Charles,  where  they  found 
from   two  to  tliree  hundred   patriots   strongly  en- 
trenched, thougli  entirely  undisciplined,  a)id  mostly 
unacquainted  with  arms ;  and  tlie  whole   witliout 
any  definite  plan  of  action.     The  result  of  the  con- 
flict may  be  easily  imagined  under  these  circum- 
stances, when  no  effort  at  pacification  was  made  by 
tlie  powerful  force  of  trained  soldiers  armed  for  their 
destruction.     A  spirited  fire  from  the  patriots  at  first 
checked  the  troops, -and  even  threw  taem  into  con- 
fusion ;  but  the  force  of  discipline  and  superior  ar- 
mament prevailed,  and  the  rout  was  complete  at 
every  point.    Panting  for  the  applause  of  the  intole- 
rant faction,  whose  hopes  and  spirits  drew  an  exhi- 
lirating  nourishment  from  the  aggravated  wretched- 
ness of  their  profound  national  calamities,  the  con- 
queror of   St.   Charles  flanked  his  operations  by 
murderous  discharges  of  grape  from  his  cannon  upon 
the  crowded  peasantry,  and  added  to  the  havoc  of 
the  bullet  and  the  cannon-ball,  the  direct  carnage  of 
tlie  bayonet  and  the  torch.   "  They  fought  very  well 
while  their  ammunition  lasted,"  said  an  eye-witness, 
"  and  they  were  charged  by  the  bayonet,  and  the 
butchery  was  dreadful.     Upwards  of  one  hundred 
were  in  a  barn,  full  of  hay  and  straw,  which  was  set 
fire  to,  and  they  were  burned  alive  or  smothered. 
The  malcontents  lost  at  least  five  hundred  men  by 
shot,  fire,  and  water."     Another  stated  that  nearly 
one  hundred  men  were  driven  into  the  river,  and 
perished.     The  village  was  entirely  destroyed  in  the 
attack,  the  houses  being  nearly  all  fired  by  the  sol- 
diery.    It  was  stated  in  the  Montreal  Courier,  that 
hot  shot  was  used  by  the  artillery  in  making  the  at- 
tack ;  but  still  another  account  says,  the  patriots  lost 
but  about  one  hundred  until  after  being  routed  from 
their  main  position.     Not  a  wounded  man  was  left 
— sixty-three  of  whom  were  bayonetted.     The  cry 
of  no  quarter  urged  the  soldiers  to  this  inhuman  act. 


•J 


m 


m 


rr 


five  liun- 

cy  found 

aigly   cu- 

d  mostly 

without 

the  con- 

;  circuni- 

made  by 

[  for  their 

is  at  first 

into  cou- 

lerior  ar- 

nplete  at 

le  intole- 

an  exhi- 

vretched- 

the  con- 

tions  by 

lion  upon 

havoc  of 

mage  of 

ery  well 

-witness, 

and  the 

hundred 

|i  was  set 

othered. 

men  by 

nearly 

^er,  and 

Id  in  the 

the  sol- 

[ier,  that 

the  at- 
tots  lost 
!d  from 
Lvas  left 
I'he  cry 
lan  act. 


I 
I 


47 

But  all  this  savage  massacre  yet  did  not  l)rcak  the 
spirit  of  fho  remnant  of  that  broken  throng  of  heroes; 
and  Wctherall's  victory  over  a  village  in  ashes,  and 
amid  the  groans  and  shrieks  of  his  dying  victims, 
was  not  all  complete ;  for  numbers  of  i)atriots  in  the 
adjoining  districts,  attracted  by  the  firing,  rushed  to 
the  scene  of  action,  and  bringing  tiie  scattering  vil- 
lagers once  more  to  the  rally,  beat  him  back,  and 
forced  his  retri3at  to  Rouville,  resolved  to  stop  his 
march  upon  St.  Dennis,  and  crowning  his  arms  by 
an  attack  on  Nelson's  force — a  force,  alas  !  which, 
had  it  been  permitted  to  come  up,  when  Nelson  re- 
quested the  privilege,  would  have  brought  otf  the 
patriots  in  triumph.  Nelson  had  been  to  Brown, 
tendering  his  services,  when  announcing  his  victory 
over  Gore,  and  when  his  troops  were  llushed  with 
victory,  and  received  for  answer  that  they  wanted 
none  of  his  assistance.  Yet,  this  same  Brown  was 
the  first  to  desert  his  post  on  the  commencement  of 
the  attack,  leaving  the  gallant  Marschessault,  (who 
shot  Wetherall's  horse  from  under  him,  and  who  is 
now  in  Vermont,  after  being  sent  to  Bermuda,)  to 
sustain  the  action. 

Colonel  Malhoit,  wlio  was  out  with  a  picket 
guard  of  four  men,  was  also  guilty  of  an  oversight, 
which  would  have  saved  much  bloodshed  on  the 
part  of  the  patriots,  and  probably  have  cut  off  the 
whole  of  the  government  troops,  if  not  have  proved 
the  means  of  enforcing  a  successful  issue  to  the  in- 
surrection throughout  the  Lower  Province.  Sir  John 
Colborne,  on  learning  the  defeat  of  Colonel  Gore  at 
St.  Dennis,  had  ordered  an  immediate  retreat  of  all 
the  forces  back  to  Montreal,  and  sent  duplicate  copies 
by  two  expresses  to  Wetherall,  both  of  whom  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  Mallioit,  he  examined  their 
papers,  and  instead  of  permitting  them  to  reach 
their  destination, and  thereby  preventing  even  the  risk 
of  the  battle  at  St.  Charles,  kept  and  concealed  them. 
Had  he  taken  the  right  view  of  the  subject,  there 


il 


!  ' 


m 


m 


48 


u 


I 


ti  j;  .1 
"; !.  i 
'I   li 


"!i 


■  n 


A 


conld  liavc  been  litllc  or  no  difficulty  in  picking  off 
Wetherall's  force  on  their  retreat,  lor  in  Montreal 
all  had  I'cconio  anxiety  and  alarm.  The  det'eat  of 
Colonel  Gore,  and  the  absence  of  intelligence  from 
Wetherall,  ])roduced  terror  and  consternation.  The 
specie  in  the  banics  was  sent  to  Quebec,  and  several 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  with  supplies  and  ammuni- 
tion, were  likewise  sent.  The  jail,  crowded  with 
j)risoners  of  every  rank,  was  fortiiied,  and  the  outlets 
to  the  city  ])arricadoed,  and  above  two  thousand 
volunteers,  fully  armed  and  equipped,  called  mto 
service. 

At  St.  Dennis  an  unfortunate  occurrence  took  place, 
in  tlie  death  of  Lieutenant  Weir,  which  should  not 
be  overlooked,  after  the  vile  uses  made  of  it  by  the 
IJritish  authorities.  On  the  approach  of  the  troops 
into  St.  Dennis,  and  when  Doctor  Nelson  was  under 
the  necessity  of  heading  his  own  to  meet  them,  he 
deemed  it  proper  to  put  his  prisoner  in  a  place  of 
greater  security;  and  to  do  so,  consigned  him  to  the 
charge  of  one  of  his  oflicers,  with  a  guard  of  some 
three  or  four  men,  with  instructions  to  forward  him 
on  to  head-quarters,  at  St.  Charles;  to  treat  him  with 
all  possible  attention,  but  not  to  permit  him  to  escape. 
This  fact  I  know  from  others,  as  well  as  from  his 
own  lips ;  and  iiiat  he  gave  the  order  in  presence  of 
Lieutenant  Weir,  with  assurance  of  kind  treatment, 
and  begging  liim  to  take  into  consideration  the  pro- 
priety of  his  order,  and  his  not  being  refractory.  It 
appears,  however,  that  soon  after  leaving  the  village, 
and  when  on  the  way  to  St.  Charles,  the  noise  of  the 
firing  at  St.  Dennis  stimulated  him  to  attempt  his 
escape.  After  a  short  struggle,  he  loosened  one  of 
his  arms,  jumped  from  the  waggon,  and  commenced 
running.  He  was  fired  at  by  the  guards,  who  fol- 
lowed in  hot  pursuit,  soon  overtaken,  and  on  his 
making  all  the  resistance  in  his  power,  finally  killed 
in  the  struggle,  his  body  being  much  hacked  by  the 
weapons  of  his  guard.     His  body  was  thrown  into 


i 


'I 

i 


•kiii^  oft' 
Sroiitreiil 
letbat  of 
ICC  iVom 
ill.  The 
1  several 
imniuiii- 
led  with 
c  outlets 
hoiisand 
lied  into 

ok  place, 
oiild  not 
it  by  the 
c  troops 
as  under 
them,  he 
place  of 
m  to  the 
of  some 
ard  him 
lim  with 
escape. 
Vom  his 
Isence  of 
atment, 
the  pro- 
lory.     It 
village, 
e  of  the 
inpt  his 
one  of 
menced 
ho  fol- 
on  his 
killed 
by  the 
rn  into 


49 

the  ditch,  and  momentarily  to  conceal  it,  covered 
with  stones ;  when  afterwards  discovered,  taken  to 
JMontrral,  and  there  interrcil  wiUi  all  tiie  j)onip  and 
ceremony  necessary  to  awaken  the  old  British  horror 
against  Frenchmen,  Jacobins,  and  bloodthirsty  revo- 
lutionists. Tl.is  is  the  amount  of  a  tale  of  horror, 
for  which  the  jh'itish  excuse  their  own  reeking  hands 
from  being  dabbled  in  innocent  blood  up  to  their 
armpits,  the  cry  of  "  no  quarter"  at  St.  Charles, 
and  the  consequent  butchery. 

The  utmost  anxiety  prevailed  now  with  regard  to 
the  course  the  United  States  would  probably  take  in 
the  troubles.  It  was  known  that  the  citizens  all 
along  the  frontier  line,  true  to  the  natural  sympathies 
of  freemen,  were  enthusiastically  interested  in  favour 
of  the  patriots ;  and  this  feeling  gave  such  an  im- 
mense weight  and  moral  power  to  the  liberal  cause, 
that  it  was  deemed  of  the  utmost  importance  to  dis- 
sipate it,  at  leas^'  as  a  general  fact,  in  the  present 
juncture  of  affairs,  and  before  there  could  be  time 
for  disclosing  the  true  sentiments  of  the  American 
people  at  large.  In  Montreal  there  reside  a  con- 
siderable number  of  American  merchants,  who,  of 
course,  were  strongly  interested  in  the  continuance 
of  peace  and  public  order;  and  a  still  larger  number 
of  individuals  descended  from  tories  expatriated  in 
the  progress  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  who 
appear  to  have  transmitted  their  love  of  British  rule 
to  their  posterity,  with  their  principles.  Indeed, 
during  the  last  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  were  numberless  families  of  the  same 
political  calibre;  and  if  we  may  judge  from  their 
tory  exultation  over  patriot  defeats,  and  in  the  suc- 
cess of  anti-republican  principles,  many  of  the  States 
of  the  Union  are  still  afflicted  with  the  same  curse. 
The  English  United  Service  Journal,  of  a  late  date, 
elucidates  this  character  and  the  facts  assumed,  in 
reflecting  upon  "  a  plan  of  the  leaders  of  the  federal 
party  in  New  England,  during  the  war,"  by  spealc 

5 


I 


! '  t ! 


l|: 


I! 


H  ^ 


ill 


Ifil 


III 


I 


50 

ing  of  "a  contemplated  separation  of  tlic  northern 
from  the  soutliern  and  western  states,  to  establish  a 
hmited  monarchy  in  tlie  former,  by  i)lacing  one  of 
the  British  princes  of  the  blood  on  the  throne,  and 
streiigtiicning  tlic  new  transatlantic  kingdom  by  an 
alliance,  offensive  and  defensive,  with  England. 
The  treaty  of  Ghent,"  contiiuies  that  publication, 
"  put  a  stop  to  the  correspondence  which  was  in 
active  progress  on  tiiis  subject ;  but  that  corres- 
pondence IS  STILL  IN  EXISTENCE :  and  however 
improbable  it  may  appear  to  Yankee  pride,  were  a 
war  to  break  out  again  between  us,  something  simi- 
lar would  occur  before  the  United  States  were  two 
years  older.  T/ie  desiruciion  of  the  public  build- 
ings at  the  nominal  seat  of  the  federal  government, 
it  was  conceived,  would  indirectly,  if  not  directly, 
forward  the  view  of  the  New  England  separatists." 
The:e  was,  therefore,  no  difliculty  in  getting  up  a 
meethig  in  Montreal,  which,  in  the  words  of  its  call, 
embraced  all  citizens  of  ^^  ^^merican  origin,'*  for 
the  purpose  of  joinUeiacting  the  dangerous  tendency 
of  this  American  sympathy,  and  of  expressing  their 
conviction  that  the  belief  which  was  admitted  to  ex- 
ist among  the  "  disaffected" — that  their  cause  "met 
with  the  sympathies  and  was  likely  to  enlist  the 
support  0^  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States," — 
was  "  unfounded,"  and  who  could  pass  resolutions 
pledging  themselves  "  to  counteract  by  constant  and 
earnest  effort,  the  designs  of  the  treasonable  and 
seditious,"  declaring  that  all  analogy  between  the 
American  revolution  and  the  present  attempt  to 
resist  a  "mild  and  equitable  local  government,"  was 
not  only  "totally  unfounded"  but  "perversely  false;" 
and  who,  further,  actuated  by  a  patriotic  desire  of 
"  preventing  the  practice  of  a  gross  and  wicked  im- 
position" on  the  citizens  of  this  nation,  to  the  preju- 
dice of  their  adopted  land,  could  pledge  themselves 
to  go  any  length  their  rulers  could  desire  in  defence 
of  their  allegiance,  and  for  the  restoration  of  the 


I 


51 


loithcrn 
iiljlisli  a 

one  of 
mc,  and 
n  by  an 
England, 
lication, 

was  in 

CORRES- 

lowevcr 

,  were  a 

iig  simi- 

ere  two 

;  build- 

rnnicnt, 

directly, 

ratists." 

ng  up  a 

■  its  call, 

>i,"   for 

tendency 

ig  their 

toex- 

e  "met 

ist  the 

es,"— 

ikitions 

mt  and 

le  and 

en  the 

npt  to 

,"  was 

iilsc;" 

ire  of 

d  im- 

preju- 

iselves 

fence 

f  the 


state   of    things 


under   the    royal   govern- 


I 


former 
nieiit. 

As  the  news  of  the  ih.;urreclion,  howrver,  spread 
into  the  states,  an  enthusiastic  inianiinity  of  public 
opinion  in  favour  of  the  patriotic  cause  forever 
vindicated  the  word  American  from  the  degradation 
of  evea  a  moment's  association  with  tlni  sentiments 
thus  volu»«teered  by  these  money-changing  recreants 
and  gamblers,  in  behalf  oi  their  country.  In  Middlc- 
l)in-g,  Burlint'ton,  in  St.  Albans,  Untlalo,  Albany, 
Troy,  Rochcsler,  New  York,  and  almost  every  city 
and  town  of  note,  in  the  states  bordering  on  the 
Canadas,  public  meetings  were  held,  at  which  the 
warmest  resolutions  of  sympatiiy  and  support  in 
favour  of  tl\c  patriotic  cause  were  adopted ;  and  in 
the  places  more  immediately  to  the  frontier,  no  co»i- 
siderations  of  national  policy  or  discretion  could 
prevent  even  the  most  active  assistance  lo  the  in- 
surgents. Money,  provisions,  ammunition,  and  cloth- 
ing, were  collected.  Volunteer  corps  were  organized, 
and  committees  were  appointed  to  distribute  these 
supplies  to  the  best  advantage.  Every  trace  of  the 
unpleasant  recollections,  engendered  by  the  imbit- 
tered  border  hostilities  of  the  late  war,  was  in  a 
moment  obliterated  by  the  generous  sympathy  of 
freemen,  for  an  attempt,  so  boldly,  though  hopelessly 
made,  to  secure  the  inappreciable  right  of  self-go- 
vernment, and  to  defend  tne  most  sacred  rights  of 
men  against  the  parricidal  tyranny  of  a  legal  govern- 
ment, which  sought  to  oppress  them. 

On  the  twenty-eighth.  Col.  Wetherall  continued  his 
retreat  to  Chambly.  On  the  way,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  intercept  him  at  Point  Oliviere,  by  a  large 
number  of  the  patriots,  who,  from  ineffectual  organi- 
zation, were  repulsed,  with  the  loss  of  two  small  ship 
cannon,  and  he  was  permitted  to  proceed  on  his  way 
to  the  city  without  further  annoyance.  The  re- 
turn of  this  "  victorious  and  gallant"  army  to  Mon- 
treal, which  they  reached  on  the  thirtieth  of  Novem- 


.1 
Ml 


'i 


w 


ill 


i 


If 


%\ 


•'  'J 


52 


■  I    ■ 


i:     I 


\^ 


ff 


Ul 


111 


ber,  was  signalized,  if  we  credit  the  papers  of  that 
city,  wit?i  the  formahties  of  a  Roman  triumph.  It 
is  a  pity  to  spoil  the  language  in  which  the  proces- 
sion was  recorded  at  the  time.  "  It  was  an  interest- 
ing sight,'-  said  the  Montreal  Courier,  "  to  the  hun- 
dreds who  crowded  on  the  wharf  to  witness  it.  The 
cavalry  landed  first,  two  of  them  carrying  the  liberty 
pole  and  cap  erected  at  St.  Charles,  at  the  meeting 
of  the  six  counties,  with  its  wooden  tablet  bearing 
the  inscription  './?  Papineau  par  ses  conciioycns 
reconnaissans^  the  former  fragment  of  the  spoils 
looking  sadly  like  a  fool's  cap  on  a  barber's  pole. 
The  artillery  followed  with  the  two  little  guns  taken 
at  St.  Oliviere,  in  addition  to  their  proper  armament. 
After  them  rode  the  commanding  officer,  followed 
by  the  bands  of  the  Royals  and  the  infantry ;  the  first 
company  of  whom  followed  the  prisoners,  thirty-two 
in  mmiber."  The  happy  sarcasm  in  this  account 
must  have  been  wonderfully  heightened  by  the  re- 
flection, that  the  simple  but  significant  monument  of 
popular  gratitude  which  was  its  object,  (that  was 
purchased  for  that  unfeeling  parade  by  a  destruction 
of  human  hfe  that  appals  the  heart,)  guarantied,  by 
its  presence,  the  suppression  of  the  treasonable  feel- 
ings of  which  it  was  the  emblem,  by  the  almost  utter 
extinction  of  the  simple  race  who  committed  the 
enormity  of  indulging  them  by  its  erection.  It  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  pleasing  emotions  it  must  be  cal- 
culated to  excite  in  the  breast  of  all  loyal  tories,  may 
be  gratified  in  future  time,  by  having  an  offering  so 
creditable  to  the  national  arms,  deposited  in  that 
proud  fane  of  British  glory,  where  the  tattered  en- 
signs of  extinguished  rebels  in  Ireland,  and  of  blood- 
hunted  Covenanters  in  Scotland,  wave  over  the  tombs 
of  sleeping  monarchs,  in  m<]ancholy  conjunction  with 
the  virgin  standards  of  Bunker's  Hill,  and  the  tro- 
phies of  such  days  as  Trafalgar,  Cape  Vincent,  and 
Waterloo. 

The  detachment  of  Col.  Gore,  left,  since  his  defeat. 


of  that 

ph.     It 

proces- 

utcrest- 

ic  hiin- 

Lt.  The 

hberty 

neeting 

bearing 

itoyens 

3  spoils 

's  pole. 

s  taken 

lament. 

)llowed 

the  first 

rty-two 

account 

the  re- 

ncnt  of 

lat  was 

ruction 

ied,  by 

le  feel- 

st  utter 

ed  the 

It  is  to 

be  cal- 

s,  may 

ing  so 

n  that 

ed  en- 

blood- 

tombs 

[\  with 

e  tro- 

t,  and 

lefeat, 


53 

inactive  at  Sorel,  was  now  reinforced  with  all  the 
disposable  force  at  Montreal.  Two  field  pieces,  a 
supply  of  congreve  rockets,  which  it  may  be  fairly 
presumed  would  prove  as  eff'ectual  in  firing  cottages, 
as  in  the  destruction  of  beleagured  citadels,  with  a 
body  of  the  royal  artillery,  the  light  company  of  the 
24th,  under  Capt.  Maitland,  three  companies  of  the 
32d,  under  Capt.  Brown,  one  company  of  the  83d, 
under  Capt.  Elmsley,  and  a  squadron  of  the  Mon- 


treal   cavalry, 


amountmg 


altogether,   with    those 


already  at  Sorel,  to  a  force  so  formidable,  that  it 
occasioned  uneasiness  in  the  minds  of  some  who 
thought  that  enough  of  blood  had  not  yet  been  shed, 
lest  it  might  disappoint  their  hopes  of  overawing 
resistance.  "  PVe  are  not  sanguine  enough  to  ex- 
pect that  any  regular  opposition  will  be  attempt- 
e^,"  is  the  singular  language,  certainly  warranting 
such  a  conclusion,  in  which  the  Montreal  journalist 
announced  its  departure.  It  is,  however,  gratifying 
to  record  that  these  humane  expectations  were  ful- 
filled, and  the  expedition  marched  through  the  whole 
of  the  hostile  district  without  opposition.  They  made 
two  prisoners  at  the  village  of  St.  Ours,  M.  J.  Do- 
rion,  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Parliament,  and 
Mr.  Louis  Moge,  a  captain  of  militia,  who  were  sent, 
with  their  fellow-sufferers,  to  the  jail  of  Montreal,  on 
the  charge  of  high  treason.  As  they  entered  St. 
Dennis,  the  villagers  retired  before  them,  and  left 
these  heroes  to  take  unmolested  revenge  for  the 
mortification  of  their  former  repulse.  The  private 
house  of  Dr.  W.  Nelson,  and  that  of  his  partner  in 
business,  Mr.  Deschambault,  after  being  thoroughly 
plundered  by  the  soldiery,  were  set  on  fire.  The 
extensive  distillery  and  outbuildings  of  these  gentle- 
men, with  nuich  valuable  machinery,  shared  the 
same  fate.  The  taverns  of  the  village,  and  some 
other  houses,  the  owners  of  whom  had  rendered 
themselves  obnoxious,  were  also  destroyed.  They 
likewise  recovered  the  gun  they  had  deserted  in  their 


i 


I 


a 


ii 


(■•t 


i 


I' 


ir 


.  Tit 


^ 


i 


■i 


i> 


54 

former  visit,  and  the  wounded  companions  they  had 
left  behind  at  the  same  time.  The  trophies  and  mu- 
nitions of  war  seized  upon  the  occasion,  consisted  of 
about  four  thousand  bushels  of  good  oats  and  barley, 
a  new  steam-engine,  belonging  to  Dr.  Nelson,  valued 
at  two  thousand  pounds,  and  various  private  chat- 
ties, estimated,  in  all,  at  nearly  sixty  thousand  dol- 
lars, which  was  divided  among  the  captors  as  prize 
money.  They  then  continued  their  march  to  St. 
Charles,  and  along  the  course  of  the  Richelieu,  leav- 
ing strong  garrisons  in  the  several  villages  where 
the  patriotic  spirit  was  known  to  be  most  rife. 

The  seizure  of  Dr.  Wolfred  Nelson's  papers,  at  St. 
Dennis,  it  was  expected  would  implicate  many  dis- 
tinguished reformers  much  more  deeply  than  the  re- 
ality evinced.  Among  the  most  important  of  these 
was  a  letter  from  Papineau,  and  a  school-boy  letter 
from  Dr.  Nelson's  son,  written  at  the  age  of  fourteen. 
Papineau,  speaking  of  the  discontents  in  Upper  Ca- 
nada, said,  "  I  see  it  is  with  them,  as  with  us,  without 
concert,  and  without  a  comparison  of  views ;  their 
young  men  are  procuring  arms,  and  accustoming 
themselves  to  their  use.  The  excitement  is  intense. 
They  wish  to  send  a  deputation  of  seven  members 
to  a  convention,  or,  as  they  call  it,  a  congress  of  the 
two  provinces,  in  which  they  should  prepare  a  pro- 
ject of  a  purely  democratic  constitution,  and  tell  Eng- 
land this  is  what  we  must  have  under  her  adminis- 
tration, if  we  have  Justice — and  independently  of 
her  if  she  will  not  concede  it.  As  for  myself,  I  am  of 
opinion  that  our  plan  of  non-consumption  and  agita- 
tion, which  will  render  the  colony  more  burdensome 
to  England,  by  the  necessity  of  an  increased  military 
force,  and  the  diminution  of  her  commerce,  is  by  far 
the  best  policy  to  pursue  for  the  present.  Continue 
you  to  push  it  as  vigorously  as  you  can." 

That  of  the  doctor's  little  son  was  as  follows :  "  I 
wish  that  it  will  do  well,  and  without  any  noise, 
which  I  hate  very  much,  except  with  the  other  side. 


53 


ley  liad 
ind  mu- 
;isted  of 
[  barley, 
,  valued 
te  chat- 
ind  dol- 
^s  prize 
I  to  St. 
lU,  leav- 
5  where 
e. 

I's,  at  St. 

any  dis- 

1  the  re- 

of  these 

Dy  letter 

OLirteen. 

)per  Ca- 

without 

s ;  their 

stoming 

intense. 

icmbers 

of  the 

3  a  pro- 

q\\  Eng- 

dniinis- 

itly  of 

am  of 

I  agita- 

ensomo 

nilitary 

by  far 

Dniinuc 

vs:  "I 
noise, 
3r  side. 


I  believe  that  the  prediction  of  that  man  named  Boiir- 
geoi,  will  be  accomplislied,  which  is,  that  the  pro- 
vince will  be  all  covered  with  blood  and  dead 
bodies." 

For  these  letters  did  the  Montreal  Herald,  and  an- 
other journal,  charge  the  government  with  useless 
and  culpable  leniency  in  "fattening  Dr.  Nelson  for 
the  gallows,"  declaring  that  "death  on  the  scaffold 
was  the  best  example  such  a  father  could  give  to 
such  a  child." 

The  whole  causes  and  extent  of  the  insurrection 
were  now,  in  fact,  plainly  discernible,  and  the  tyran- 
nical severity  of  the  colonial  government  stood  darkly 
forth  to  the  eyes  of  all  reflecting  men  as  utterly  un- 
justifiable, except  on  the  prhiciples  of  a  code  of 
policy,  which  it  would  be  dishonour,  in  the  present 
age,  to  associate  with  the  name  of  government.  The 
plea  of  self-p  eir  ""vation  cannot  be  used,  as  an  ex- 
cuse for  the  roL  ess  cruelty  with  which  it  made 
its  tiger  spriuj  -on  the  defenceless  population, 
guilty  only  of  the  crime  of  seeking  the  political  re- 
generation of  their  native  land.  All  that  had  been, 
as  some  of  the  ablest  men  of  our  country  have  said, 
prior  to  the  issuing  of  secret  orders  by  the  govern- 
ment against  some  of  the  best  and  purest  men  of 
the  province,  was  through  peaceable  and  public  as- 
semblages of  the  people.  They  conceived  that  they 
had  great  and  crying  grievances  to  complain  of; 
oppression  and  insolence  had  driven  them  to  public 
declarations  of  what  they  conceived  to  be  invasions 
of  great  and  unalienable  rights,  and  to  the  abuses  of 
power — but  they  had  resorted  to  no  violence,  or  me- 
nace, or  organized  hostility,  beyond  that  of  assem- 
bling in  a  public  and  constitutional  manner.  In  this 
respect  they  had  not  proceeded  so  far,  by  half,  as  is 
every  day  permitted  in  the  mother  country,  and  is 
justified,  and,  indeed,  guarantied  by  the  British  con- 
stitution. 

Every  act  on  the  part  of  the  people  was  consistent 


i » •■ 


'I -I 


1^ 


(Ml 


5e 


'\ . 


1 


I 


ijili" 


If 
I 


i 


I 


ii 


I 


and  just,  and,  as  may  be  seen,  the  government  com- 
menced hostilities  by  the  arrest  of  Dr.  Davignon  and 
Mr.  Demarais,  on  unfounded  charges  of  high  treason, 
and  followed  up  their  rescue  by  sending  armed  troops 
to  arrest  Dr.  Nelson  and  others,  for  the  high  crime 
of  peaceably  assembling  to  represeatjtheir  grievances. 
The  gallant  defence  at  St.  Dennis  to  ^protect  his  life 
from  the  executioner's  block,  was  then  made  the 
signal  for  indiscriminate  slaughter,  followed  by  the 
unfortunate  catastrophe  at  St.  Charles,  where  the 
drunkenness  and  cowardice  of  Thomas  S.  Brown, 
and  the  unaccountable  desertion  of  Louis  Joseph  Pa- 
pineau,  sacrificed  the  bravest  band  of  men  who  had 
fallen  since  the  massacre  at  Dartmoor.  I  have  said, 
and  I  repeat  with  undisguised  pain  and  sorrow,  the 
unaccountable  desertion  of  Mr.  Papineau,  for  he  was 
at  St.  Charles  when  the  firing  commenced — had  been 
seen  there  when  Dr.  Nelson  went  to  tender  his  aid 
— and  he  and  Brown,  the  only  two  men  to  flee  the 
battle-ground,  and  the  two  last  that  were  ever  ex- 
pected to  desert  the  patriot  standard.  But  let  the 
mantle  of  oblivion  cover  their  errors — remorse,  nor 
the  pangs  of  death,  can  alleviate  the  distresses  of  the 
broken-hearted  widow,  or  the  helpless  orphan.  And 
yet — how  tauntingly  cruel  in  that  accursed  go- 
vernment to  insult  real  heroes  by  offers  of  large 
rewards  for  the  apprehension  of  such  men.  Had 
a  thousand  pounds  sterling  been  offered  each  for 
the  heads  of  the  gallant  Wolfred  Nelson,  and 
Jean  0.  Chenier,  we  might  have  said  there  was  at 
least  one  spark  of  magnanimity  left  in  the  breast  of 
a  Gosford  or  a  Colborne ;  but  as  it  is,  we  can  only 
follow  the  latter  to  the  gory  plains  of  St.  Eustache, 
there  to  execrate  him  for  the  last  time  with  a  free- 
man's curse. 


A 


!l^ 


57 


e,  nor 
of  the 
And 
d    go- 
large 
Had 
ch  for 
and 
'■as  at 
ast  of 
only- 
ache, 
free- 


CHAPTER  V. 


St.  Eustache. 


The  next  place  that  was  visited  by  the  ravages 
of  war,  waged  by  a  parental  government,  was  the 
village  of  St.  Eustache,  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
of  the  lovely  rural  settlements  with  which  the  early 
French  emigrant  decorated  the  banks  of  the  great 
rivers  of  the  agricultural  districts  of  the  Canadas. 
It  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  romantic  Ottowa, 
about  twenty  miles  from  Montreal,  and  in  the  centre 
of  the  county  of  the  "Lake  of  the  Two  Mountains." 
A  small  rivulet  runs  through  the  village,  which  is  built 
on  a  tongue  of  land  formed  by  the  river ;  a  large 
square  of  handsome  stone  houses,  many  of  them 
finished  in  most  costly  style,  and  in  which  resided 
the  wealthy  inhabitants  of  the  county,  with  the 
manor-house,  the  presbytere,  and  a  convent,  com- 
posed the  village.  In  the  centre  stood  the  parish 
church,  whose  two  glittering  spires,  covered  with  tin, 
formed  a  conspicuous  feature  in  the  landscape ;  and 
which,  in  the  solidity  of  its  massive  construction  and 
the  elegant  decorations  of  its  interior,  sufficiently  at- 
tested the  wealth  and  the  good  catholicity  of  the 
habitans. 

The  population  of  the  country  were,  for  the  most 
part,  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the  cause  of  their 
country's  independence  ;  and  the  first  idea  of  resist- 
tance  to  the  government  at  this  point,  arose,  as  at  ?*;. 
Dennis,  from  the  dete"rmination  of  the  people  not  to 
permit  the  arrest  of  their  proscribed  leaders.  Dr. 
Jean  Oliver  Chenier,  and  the  county  representatives, 
Messrs.  Girouard  and  Scott,  for  each  of  whom  a  re- 
ward of  500/.  had  been  offered  by  the  government. 
The  people  were  resolved,  and  resistance,  once  or- 
ganized, formed  a  nucleus,  round  which  was  gather- 


' 


n 


■;  ri 


1 


I 
i 


■\: 


i  p 


iji'!! 


58 

cd  all  the  effective  material  of  the  neighbourhood, 
creating  a  temporary  point  where  the  hopes  of  many 
a  refugee  from  the  banks  of  the  Richelieu  were  glad 
to  take  refuge.  Offensive  warfare,  or  systematized 
rebellion,  as  far  as  the  people  of  St.  Eustache  were 
concerned,  at  that  time  seemed  entirely  out  of  the 
question,  their  numbers  being  never  more  than  five 
or  six  hundred,  and  the  great  majority  of  whom 
were  without  arms. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth  of  December, 
news  was  brought  to  the  commander  by  a  habitant 
of  L'isle  Jesu,  that  an  immense  force  was  fast  ap- 
proaching to  iDurn,  ravage,  and  destroy  the  village  ; 
that  they  had  left  Montreal  in  the  morning,  under 
the  commander-in-chief;  their  advance  guard  would 
have  been  at  St.  Eustache  at  that  time,  had  they 
not  feared  the  weakness  of  the  ice  ;  in  consequence, 
the  main  body  of  the  regular  soldiers  had  made  a 
detour  to  Ste.  Rose,  where  they  crossed  to  the  main 
land  with  their  artillery,  congreve  rockets,  &c.,  thus 
lengthening  their  march  more  than  six  miles.  About 
noon  the  British  advanced,  and  as  they  neared  the 
village  and  began  taking  up  their  position,  their  ex- 
tent and  character  impressed  upon  the  people  the 
incredible  inequality  of  the  coming  conflict.  On  the 
part  of  the  patriots,  by  far  the  greater  number  be- 
longing to  the  neighbouring  village  of  St.  Benoit, 
and  St.  Scholastique,  apprehensive  for  the  safety  of 
their  homes,  or,  more  probably,  fearful  of  the  result, 
went  oft'  in  a  body,  under  the  command  of  Girod 
and  Chartier,  by  a  road  not  yet  occupied  by  the  ad- 
vancing British.  About  three  hundred  now  re- 
mained under  the  daring  Chenier,  who,  as  his  eye 
gazed  upon  the  advance  of  his  enemies,  and  the  de- 
departure — the  desertion — of  his  countrymen,  looked 
upon  the  faithful  few,  the  devoted  band  that  still 
clung  to  him:  "Mes  freres,"  said  h'^  "behold  advanc- 
ing upon  you,  to  burn  and  destro*  your  beautiful 
homes,  the  servile  mercenaries  of  ,.  ^  despotic  go- 


■liiA 


rhood, 
many 
e  glad 
latized 
3  were 
of  the 
m  five 
whom 

ember, 
bitant 
ist  ap- 
illage ; 
,  under 
would 
d  they 
luence, 
iiade  a 
e  main 
c,  thus 
About 
ed  the 
eir  ex- 
)le  the 
On  the 
Der  be- 
enoit, 
ety  of 
result, 
Girod 
e  ad- 
|w   re- 
Is  eye 
le  de- 
)oked 
It  still 
Ivanc- 
lutiful 
Ic  go- 


4 


I 


59 

vernment  that  has  enslaved  your  country;  by  the 
route  which  some  of  our  friends  have  taken,  you 
too  may  escape  the  death  that  awaits  us;  but  never 
will  I  leave  my  home,  nor  suffer  defenceless  women 
and  children  to  be  violated  and  butchered,  nor  our 
property  to  be  burned,  without  striking  a  blow  for 
their  protection  and  defence ;  those  of  you  who  wish 
may  go,  while  the  others  who  are  prepared  to  sell 
their  lives  at  the  dearest  possible  rate,  let  them  re- 
main with  me." 

Unanimously,  the  whole  people  cried  out,  "  Li- 
berty or  DEATH — we  will  never  desert  our  wives 
and  little  ones." 

Chenier  promptly  arranged  his  plan  of  defence ; 
under  trusty  officers,  in  divided  squads,  they  took 
possession  of  the  manor-house,  the  presbytere,  the 
convent,  and  the  house  of  Mr.  Scott.  Chenier,  in 
person,  taking  command  of  from  sixty  to  eighty, 
many  of  whom  were  without  arms,  and  threw 
themselves  into  the  church,  where  the  women  and 
children  of  the  villagers  had  already  fled  for  refuge  : 
these,  for  safety,  were  placed  in  the  vaults  under- 
neath. The  large  doors  of  the  church  were  then 
barricadoed,  and  the  windows  removed  to  use  the 
openings  as  port-holes.  In  this  situation  did  this 
gallant  corps  of  chivalrous  Canadians  await  the  con- 
flict that  would  bring  with  it  their  annihilation. — 
"  Nor,"  said  a  British  officer,  with  whom  I  after- 
wards conversed,  "  did  they  quail,  as  our  over- 
whelming force  approached ;  they  raised  one  loud, 
shrill,  terrific  cheer,  and  then  all  was  still  as  death, 
until  the  cannonading  and  the  musketry  com- 
menced." 

The  force,  indeed,  was  so  disproportionate  that  it 
seems  almost  incredible  that  so  few  would  dare  op- 
pose them.  We  have  given  the  force  of  Chenier, 
now  for  that  of  the  royalists,  taken  from  their  own 
accounts.  It  seems  that  the  departure  of  the  troops 
from  Montreal  had  been  made  the  occasion  of  a  dis- 


'  ' 


I  f ' 


fi 


Ml 


60 


I 

fl 


.f.i.;J:: 


"•I 


m 


^iii 


play  of  the  government  strength  in  all  the  imposing 
forms  of  military  parade.  A  Mc^treal  paper  of 
that  day  says,  "  that  a  long  array  of  soldiers  had 
defiled  through  their  streets,  with  colours  waving, 
and  men  marching  to  the  inspiriting  strains  of  mar- 
tial music ;  that  the  expedition  consisted  of  a  de- 
tachment of  the  1st  Royals,  under  Lr,  Col.  We- 
therall,  the  32d  and  83d  regiments,  under  Lt.  Cols. 
Maitland  and  Dundas.  The  volunteer  Montreal  rifle 
corps,  under  Capt.  Leclerc,  and  a  strong  squadron 
of  horse,  with  six  pieces  of  artillery  fully  served, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Jackson.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief, with  his  richly  caparisoned  staff, 
and  escorted  hy  two  hundred  dragoons,  brought  up 
the  rear.'* 

On  their  arrival  at  St.  Eustache,  two  field-pieces 
were  first  directed  to  open  the  fire  upon  the  church, 
and  another  was  sent  round  in  the  rear  of  the  village, 
and  stationed  where  it  commanded  the  street  leading 
directly  to  the  front  door  of  the  same  edifice.  The 
three  regiments,  and  the  cavalry,  in  the  mean  time, 
made  a  circuit  round  the  village  in  rear  ;  and  took 
up  positions  to  intercept  the  patriots  when  they 
should  be  compelled  to  abandon  their  position, 
whilst  a  corps  of  volunteers  were  spread  out  on  the 
ice  in  front  of  the  village  where  they  had  crossed, 
thus  completely  hemming  in  the  patriots  on  every 
side. 

There  was  no  demand  for  surrender — no  offer  of 
mercy — no  attempt  at  reconciliation,  but  a  steady 
fire  kept  up  upon  the  church,  convent,  presbytere, 
and  particularly  the  house  of  Mr.  Scott.  Chenier, 
however,  so  directed  his  fire  from  the  church  as  to 
compel  that  detachment  of  the  assailants  to  retreat, 
when  Colborne  ordered  another  and  a  stronger  de- 
tachment of  artillery  forward.  They  were  now  in 
full  play,  and  kept  up  a  simultaneous  fire  upon 
every  building  in  the  square.  It  was  for  a  time 
responded  to  with  vigour,  so  long  as  their  ammuni- 


iposing 
per  of 
;rs  had 
vaving, 
)f  mar- 
f  a  de- 
)l.  Wc- 
A.  Cols, 
eal  rifle 
[uadron 
served, 
le  com- 
id  stafx, 
light  up 

d-pieces 

church, 

village, 

leading 

e.     The 

m  time, 

nd  took 

n  they 

)osition, 

t  ou  the 

rossed, 

1  every 

)ffer  of 
steady 
pbytere, 
)henier, 
3h  as  to 
jretreat, 
ber  de- 
Biiow  in 
upon 
a  time 
iiimuni- 


61 

tion  lasted.  Noticing  their  want  of  arms  and  am- 
niiuiiti<ni,by  their  sla<-kcned  fire,  the  troops  advanced 
upon  the  convent,  and  set  it  on  fire.  The  priest's 
lioMso  soon  shared  the  same  fate,  and  their  miserable 
garrisons,  retreating  from  the  gathering  flames  into 
the  cellars,  were  ehher  stifled  by  the  smoke,  or 
rushed  upon  their  remorseless  foes,  and  found  a 
nune  merciful,  and  as  certain  a  death,  from  the 
liayonet  or  the  ball.  Some  attempted  to  escape,  but 
tlioy  no  sooner  made  their  appearance  than  they 
wove  shot  down.  But  one  individual,  Felix  Paquin, 
escaped  this  horrid  massacre,  and  he,  poor  fellow, 
by  creeping  out  half  roasted,  and  having  a  number 
ot"  bullets  lodged  in  his  body,  before  he  was  recog- 
nised by  an  acquaintance  in  the  opposite  ranks,  who 
asked  that  his  life  might  be  spared.  This  gentle- 
iiian  was  in  the  jail  of  Montreal,  when  we  passed 
through,  and  had  a  night's  lodging,  but,  oF  course, 
we  could  not  see  him.  The  manor  house  was  next 
sacked,  and  then  the  whole  body  of  troops  sur- 
rounded the  church  in  close  order,  to  dislodge  and 
nuu'der  the  indomitable  Chenier  and  his  copatriots. 
For  a  time  he  could  valiantly  cope  with  his  enemy  to 
advantage,  but  too  soon  his  ammunition  failed  him, 
and  then  his  followers,  having  witnessed  their  home- 
steads in  flames,  and  the  death  of  all  their  friends 
without,  the  artillery  effecting  a  breach  and  firing 
the  building,  which  was  now  half  filled  with  the 
wounded  and  the  dying,  maddened  to  desperation, 
with  Chenier  at  their  head, leaped  from  the  windows 
into  the  graveyard,  and  in  the  midst  of  their  foes, 
fighting  like  lions,  died  with  arms  in  their  hands, 
carving  their  own  way  to  the  last  foothold  of  the 
brave — the  grave  !  One  of  the  accounts,  says, 
'•  Chenier,  collecting  the  feeble  remnant  of  his  fol- 
lowers— 'few  and  faint,  yet  fearless  still' — jumped 
tlirough  the  windows  into  the  graveyard,  where 
they  fought  with  all  the  desperation  of  a  forlorn 
hope.  A  ball  soon  brought  the  leader  down.  Fallen, 

6 


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M 

III 


¥ 


i  i '  li  1 


ill 


.„['■ 


*t'i      I 


i 


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;n 


1' 


,ll:ll 


ItlB 


but  not  vanquished,  he  rallied  his  sinking  strength, 
rose,  and  disciiarged  his  ritlc  at  the  enemy  ;  twice 
again  lie  was  brought  to  the  ground,  and  twice  he 
rose  to  the  attack.  The  fourth  time  i/ie  hero  fell 
to  7'ise  no  more.'*  "  Wo  to  the  hand  wiio  siicd  his 
precious  blood  !"  Chenier's  fall  was  the  signal  for 
an  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  remainder  of 
his  brave  band.  "  No  quarter,"  was  the  cry,  and 
with  but  few  exceptions  all  were  massacred  on  the 
spot.  Some  few,  indeed,  did  manage  to  escape  in 
the  melee  ;  but  it  was  only  for  a  moment.  Tliey 
made  for  the  ice,  iu  hope  of  gaining  the  woods  ou 
the  opposite  shore,  but  here  also  they  were  met  and 
massacred.  One  by  one  they  were  picked  off  by 
the  marksmen  posted  at  certain  distances,  and  fell 
and  perished  midst  the  bleak  wintry  snows  of  Ca- 
nada. 

At  half-past  four  in  the  afternoon,  the  work  of 
destruction  was  completed,  aud  a  more  awful  sight 
was  never  the  result  of  the  relentless  code  of  war. 
The  houses  of  that  beautiful  village  were  wrapt  in 
flame.  The  thunders  of  the  cannon  and  the  roar 
of  musketry  had  ceased.  The  churchyard  and  the 
convent  were  heaped  with  the  dead,  and  the  scene 
of  horror  produced  by  the  burning  alive  of  the 
wounded,  only  relieved  by  here  and  tl)3re  a  shot, 
successfully  aimed  at  some  solitary  fugitive,  who 
was  endeavouring  to  escape,  or  the  tumbling  of 
buildings  through  which  the  flames  were  making 
terrible  ravages.  The  numerous  bodies  consumed 
in  the  houses  loaded  the  air  with  an  inspTerable 
stench,  and  during  this  sickening  scene  were  the 
soldiery,  according  to  the  account  of  a  clergyman, 
writing  in  one  of  the  Montreal  papers,  busied  in 
the  work  of  pillage  and  insult  in  every  direction. 
"Even,"  says  he,  "women,  young  and  old,  were 
VIOLATED."  In  the  clear  night  of  the  Canadian 
winter,  the  flames,  distinctly  seen  at  Montreal,  tele- 
graphed to  the  city  the  result  of  the  expedition.  The 


l"!!k 


G3 


corrospoiidciit  of  the  Courier,  says  the  Democratic 
Review,  writing  from  the  spot,  confirmed  tlie  intel- 
hffonee  the  next  morning  with  expressive  hrevity. 
"Such  a  scene  you  never  witnessed;  it  must  prove 
an  awful  example.  Tiie  artillery  opened  at  half- 
past  one.  Every  thing  was  over,  except  tiie  shoot- 
ing of  a  few  fugitives,  at  half-past  three."  A  de- 
spatch which  tells  something  more  than  the  ve?Uf 
vidi,  vici,  of  the  Roman  general.  The  destruction 
of  life  in  this  liorrid  affair  can  never  be  ascertained. 
Some  were  taken  prisoners,  and  all  the  remainder 
must  have  perished  in  the  flamt  , 

The  bodies  which  were  not  consumed  by  the 
flames  were  left  exposed  to  be  mangled  for  days  by 
the  starving  swine  of  the  sacked  and  burned  village. 
It  is  said  that  when  a  young  soldier,  shocked  at  the 
scene,  remarked  that  it  was  a  shocking  sight. — 
"  What  is  ?"  asked  a  volunteer  officer,  a  Scotchman. 
"  That  sight,"  said  the  soldier,  as  he  pointed  to 
where  two  or  three  hogs  were  tearing  away  the 
hands  of  a  human  being.  "  Pshaw !"  said  the 
brute :  "  that  is  nothing ;  it  is  nothing  but  French 
hogs  eating  French  hogs." 

Sir  John  Colborne  now  followed  up  his  success  by 
visiting  the  village  of  St.  Benoit,  or  Grand  Brule, 
where  the  last  remains  of  the  patriot  force  were 
assembled :  and  here  he  had  an  easy  task.  Terror 
had  taken  possession  of  every  heart ;  and  the  sacri- 
fice of  St.  Eustache  had  deeply  struck  the  memora- 
ble lesson  of  its  example.  The  troops  had  scarcely 
proceeded  on  their  way  before  Colborne  was  met  by 
a  deputation  from  St.  Benoit,  who  came  to  offer  un- 
conditional submission  for  themselves  and  the  sur- 
rounding coimtry;  and  as  he  advanced,  every  house 
had  a  white  flag  displayed  from  the  window,  though 
no  inhabitant  waited  to  know  his  doom.  All  were 
assembled  at  the  village  ;  and,  now  reduced  to  three 
hundred,  the  shrinking  multitude  presented  them- 
selves to  him,  each  with  the  same  symbol  of  peace 


1 


'-» ^- 


C)\ 


and  sorrow  in  his  iKintl.  Lilo  was  span.'d  to  llie 
dutencoless  pciiitciits  iu  this  instance,  hut  C()ll)orno's 
tactics  could  award  no  more;  and  their  unconilitional 
suhmission  purcliascd  for  thcni  only  the  hitterness  ol' 
feehng  tliat  they  had  better  have  died  witii  arms  in 
their  iiands,  hkc  tlieir  exterminated  compatriots  of 
St.  Eustache. 

Every  one  whom  it  pleased  the  troops  to  consider 
a  leader,  was  arrested ;  and  such  had  the  consola- 
tion to  find  that  surrender  had  saved  them  from  the 
chances  of  the  bullet,  only  to  substitute  the  chances 
of  the  gallows.  Col  borne  liad  taken  possession  of 
Girouard's  house,  and  his  family  had  used  every  exer- 
tion to  please  him ;  but  when  ready  to  abdicate,  he 
turned  them  into  the  street,  and  ordered  the  torch  to 
be  applied;  at  tlie  same  time  he  ordered  the  burning 
of  all  the  buildings  of  the  prominent  citizens,  and 
then  added,  by  way  of  bonfire,  the  rest  of  the  vil- 
lage, first  permitting  his  men  to  phnider  them  of 
every  thing  available. 


And    now, 


notwithstanding 


all    resistance    liad 


ceased,  he  sent  detachments  of  troops  to  scour  the 
rest  of  the  district.  At  St.  Scholastique,  seven  miles 
from  Grand  Brule,  the  inhabitants  met  him  with 
white  flags  in  their  hands,  and  threw  down  their 
arms;  and  at  Carillon,  six  miles  west  of  St.  Eustache, 
a  similar  spectacle  was  exhibited ;  and  at  both 
places,  and  on  the  highway,  houses  were  committed 
to  the  flames,  and  the  women  and  children  driven 
into  the  pitiless  snow.  Girod,  who  had  left  Chenier, 
deserted  him  in  the  hour  of  need,  and  finding  him- 
self on  the  point  of  being  captured,  blew  out  his 
brains  with  a  pistol,  and  left  his  captors  only  the 
minor  gratification  of  mutilating  his  lifeless  trunk 
by  cutting  ofl"  his  head,  and  driving  a  stake  through 
his  body,  to  mark  the  spot  of  the  grave  of  a  suicide. 
Chenier,  the  hero  of  this  bloody  tragedy,  was  all 
that  man,  in  the  image  of  his  Maker,  can  aspire  to ; 
— the  generous  friend,  the  humane  physician,  the 


I'il^^ 


the 


65 

liiglily  t;(l(Mitpd  and  cliivulrons  advocate  of  liberal 
jtriiM'iples.  He  was  my  early  friend,  my  ronnade, 
my  f('l lo \v -student  in  my  professional  studies.  Wc 
had  always  been  as  brothers;  nor  had  we  ever  a 
single  boyish  ([uarrel.  We  loved  one  another  as 
nmeli  as  ever  did  Jonathan  and  David  ;  and  when 
students  we  were  always  together.  He  settled  in  a 
neighbourhood  where  he  was  known  from  child- 
hood, and  had  married  a  wife  every  way  worthy  to 
share  the  honours  of  such  a  husband.  It  is  said  that 
immediately  before  the  action,  when  directing  hv^r 
to  a  place  of  security,  the  young  timid  wife  begged 
of  him  to  be  careful  of  his  life,  and  that  there  was 
no  disgrace  to  surrender  to  a  force  so  much  their 
superior  in  numbers.  He  fondly  kissed  her,  bade 
lier  adieu,  and  answered,  "  La  garrle  meurt  mats 
ne  se  rend  pas." 

So  beloved  was  he,  that,  with  a  price  of  ^2,000 
upon  his  person,  he  could  lay  his  head  upon  his  pil- 
low, and  sleep  quietly  amongst  the  patriots  of  the 
Two  Mountains.  There  were  none  there  to  basely 
surrender  him  to  his  enemy;  and,  until  Colborno 
came  with  his  host,  and  the  resolution  to  devastate, 
and  overrun  with  fire  and  sword  his  beautiful  vil- 
lage, with  the  solitary  exception  of  the  priest  Paquin, 
he  knew  none  who  would  hesitate  to  die  with  him  : 
but  that  pensioner  upon  the  earnings  of  an  honest 
people  had  the  impudence  to  predict  his  fate,  when 
he  demanded  of  him  the  keys  of  the  presbyter^  a^rd 
the  convent ;  to  which  Chenier  responded — "  i  am 
not  to  be  deterred  from  my  object  by  threats  of 
death.  I  cannot  live  under  a  despotic  and  iyranni- 
cal  government.  I  prefer  death  to  slavery  or  disho- 
nour." Death  came,  and  he  met  it  hke  a  man, 
whilst  his  cowardly  butchers  were  destroying  every 
vestige  of  his  property,  and  insulting  his  wife.  And 
here,  one  would  naturally  suppose  the  curtain  might 
drop ;  but  British  vengeance  was  not  yet  glutted. 
Dr.  Arnoldi,  Jr.,  with  associate  demons,  quartered 

6* 


i 


M 


i). 


li 


» 


66 


IT' 

m 


11 


\W: 


m 


I'll  Li 


llie  body,  tore  out  liis  entrails,  and,  disembowelling 
his  heart,  carried  it  to  JMontreal,  as  one  of  their 
trophies  of  victory ;  and.  there  it  was  tossed  to 
and  fro  like  a  ball  in  a  game  of  wicket,  whilst  his 
four  quarters  were  exhibited  on  the  counter  of  a 
grog-shop,  his  alTectionate  wife  imploring  them  to 
give  her  the  remains  for  burial.  A  gentleman  visit- 
hig  the  battle-scene  a  few  days  after  the  fight,  dis- 
courseth  as  follows  : — "  We  afterwards  went  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  Anderson,  where  we  saw  in  the  pas- 
sage to  the  yard  four  dead  bodies,  and  in  the  house, 
the  body  of  Cheiiier,  exposed  on  a  counter,  in  view 
of  the  crowds  who  visited  the  place.  7%e  clothes 
had  been  stripped  from  his  yet  warm  limbs.  He 
teas  terribly  iinitilated — cut  in  four  quarters,  and 
his  heart  torn  from  his  by^east ! ! !  The  spectacle 
Avas  most  horrible,  and  repugnant  to  humanity." 
The  young  wife  could  not  obtain  the  remains  of  her 
hero ;  nor,  until  the  stench  became  intolerable,  was 
any  disposition  made  of  it.  It  was  then  refused  that 
they  should  be  deposited  in  the  cemetery ;  and,  after 
making  the  best  possible  disposition  of  them  for  the 
present,  tlie  friends  were  compelled  to  witness  the 
robbery  of  Mrs.  Chenier  of  the  few  articles  she  had 
saved  from  the  wreck  and  removed  to  a  farm-liouse  : 
and  yet  this  amiable  woman  had  sufficient  strength 
to  have  taken  up  the  mangled  corpse,  and  for  fear 
of  further  violence,  secreted  it  in  a  garret,  till  she  with 
her  own  hands  could  cleanse  it,  sew  it  together,  and 
bury  it  in  a  secret  place,  where,  when  Canada  shall 
be  free,  a  monument  will  be  erected  to  his  memory. 
Memory,  do  we  say  ?  No  storied  urn  or  triumphal 
monument  can  so  well  tell  his  worth,  as  that  now  in- 
delibly stamped  upon  the  tablet  of  a  nation's  mind, 
and  the  proud  heart  of  the  patriot.  "  Friend  of  my 
youthful  days,  peace  to  thy  ashes!" 

On  the  sixteenth  of  December,  Sir  John  Colborne 
returned  to  Montreal ;  and,  escorted  by  the  Montreal 
Cavalry,  and  Queen's  Light  Dragoons,  rode  through 


!  A 


was 


Diise : 

O 

foar 
with 
and 
shall 
10  ry. 
phal 
V  iii- 
ind, 
my 

)rne 
Jrcal 
liigh 


i 


G7 

the  city  to  receive  the  applauses  that  greeted  the  re- 
turn of  such  a  conqueror.  The  following  day,  being 
Sunday,  the  greater  part  of  his  force  also  reached 
the  city,  at  different  intervals.  When  Colonel  Wethe- 
rall  and  his  Royals  returned,  with  the  additional 
laurels  of  another  campaign  upon  their  brows,  es- 
corting one  hundred  and  five  prisoners,  the  fruits  of 
this  second  victory,  crowds  of  citizens  hallowed 
the  day  of  rest  by  going  out  to  meet  them,  and 
cheered  the  conquerors  the  whole  way  to  their  bar- 
racks. 

Here,  then,  terminated  this  savage  and  extermi- 
nating expedition.  A  whole  county  was  laid  waste, 
and  made  a  desert  wild,  to  suppress  an  insurrection  ; 
and  the  smouldering  ruins,  and  the  yet  hot  blood  of 
patriotism,  daringly  offered  up  to  heaven  as  a  peace- 
offering,  with  none  left  alive  to  enjoy  peace.  And 
this  for  the  honour  and  glory  of  the  British  govern- 
ment !  Will  they — have  they  the  courage  to  place 
it  upon  record  ?  Will  the  woes  and  wrongs,  the 
blood  of  these  patriot  martyrs,  cease  burning  in  the 
heart  of  man,  until  every  remnant  of  monarchy  is 
blotted  from  the  American  continent  ?  Will  the 
gory  prints  these  tyrants  have  left  upon  our  soil, 
form  a  seal  to  a  covenant  that  shall  unite  millions 
of  freemen  in  arms,  sworn  to  erect  the  standard  of 
liberty  throughout  the  earth,  or  will  the  sons  of  the 
fathers  of  the  American  Revolution,  with  whom, 
arm  in  arm,  did  contend  the  countrymen  of  this 
murdered  community,  shrink  from  the  oliices  of  ven- 
geance? Sooner,  we  predict,  will  the  stars  and 
tlie  stripes  of  the  new  world  be  buried  in  the  earth 
of  the  old,  and  the  seas  be  purpled  with  the  richest 
blood  of  man.  The  day  of  retribution  is  at  luuid. 
There  is  a  just  God  ;  and  the  fury  of  the  oppressor 
will  be  hurled  back  with  tenfold  vengeance.  The 
blade  will  be  drawn — the  scabbard  will  bo  thrown 
away,  and  crowned  heads  consigned  to  the  grave. 


\ 


t'!* 


68 


^-■i 


There  will  be  no  Coesar  triumphing  over  a  Pompey 
or  a  Cato— no  Octavius  out-generalling  a  Brutus. 

In  the  language  of  another,  "  the  struggles  of  a 
people  on  our  own  borders  for  freedom  from  the 
same  arbitrary  power  that  employed  the  torch,  the 
sword,  and  the  savage,  in  the  attempted  destruction 
of  our  fathers  and  our  homesteads,  is  of  itself  a  re- 
sistless appeal  to  the  patriotism  and  generosity  of 
those  now  reaping  the  rewards  of  their  ancestors' 
sacrifices.  The  heart  that  does  not  freeze  with  hor- 
ror at  the  atrocities  we  have  enumerated  in  this 
chapter — the  man  who  sees  no  danger  to  American 
rights  or  American  freedom  from  the  fearful  proxi- 
mity of  British  tyranny — one  who  has  seen  the  at- 
tempts of  that  power  to  sunder  this  happy  union, 
and  wishes  not  its  removal — though  he  may  have 
been  born  under  the  star-spangled  banner  of  this 
country,  though  he  may  dress,  act,  and  speak  like 
an  American,  is,  nevertheless,  a  stranger  to  the  en- 
nobling principles,  and  a  libel  on  the  human  race." 

The  American  people  will  not  long  see  their 
neighbours  in  a  disgraced  condition,  and  imploring 
assistance.  This  is  not  a  stone-hearted  generation. 
Let  another  such  a  parricidal  contest  come,  and, 
mark  our  words,  the  people  of  this  country  will  be 
restrained  by  no  national  considerations,  from  rush- 
ing in  thousands  upon  the  oppressor,  and  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning.  Would  they  not,  they  would  be 
unworthy  to  enjoy  the  blessings  gained  by  those 
whose  whitened  bones  lie  in  heaps  upon  the  plains 
of  Lexington,  upon  Bunker  Hi'.l,  the  heights  of  Sa- 
ratoga, Monmouth,  Brandywine,  and  every  other 
battle  field  from  Georgia  to  Maine,  and  whose  spirits 
are  in  every  passing  .jreeze.  They  would  call  up 
to  memory  the  gory  times  of  liberty's  struggle,  when 
our  fathers'  blood  flowed  like  water,  and  when  the 
flame  of  patriotism  burned  in  every  heart. 


,   ■! 


■    (I 

'  it 

I! 

'It 

•■itl} 

n 

69 


I  i 


'ompey 
itus. 
es  of  a 
3m  the 
:ch,  the 
ruction 
If  a  re- 
isity  of 
cestors' 
ith  hor- 
in  this 
nerican 
I  proxi- 
.  the  at- 
'  union, 
ly  have 
of  this 
3ak  like 
the  en- 
race." 
se    their 
ploring 
eration. 
and, 
iwill  be 
rush- 
It  a  mo- 
luld  be 
those 
plains 
of  Sa- 
other 
spirits 
;all  up 
I,  when 
len  the 


^t 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Political  state  of  the  province  of  Upper  Canada — Declaration  of  Rights 

of  the  Keformers. 

The  province  of  Upper  Canada,  in  common  with 
the  lower  province,  had  its  causes  of  dissatisfaction. 
TJie  condition  of  the  people,  however,  was  widely 
dillerent.  However  divided  in  opinion,  they  spoke 
the  samoi  language,  and  were  all  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
race.  Here  was  no  contest  between  distinct  races — 
no  French  to  trample  upon,  no  conrpicrcd  people  to 
suffer  the  taunt  of  inferiority.  All  were  British, 
with  the  exception  of  the  few  emigrants  of  Ameri- 
can birth,  whom  a  fertile  soil  and  the  easy  acquisi- 
tion of  land  had  induced  to  settle  among  them. 

For  a  long  period  previous  to  the  insurrection,  the 
upper  province  had  been  divided  into  three  parties. 

The  first  and  most  influential  was  composed  of 
those  holding  office,  the  tenure  of  which  they  consi- 
dered as  sacredly  theirs,  as  did  their  sovereign  the 
divine  right  to  the  crown. 

This  was  styled  "  The  Family  Compact  Party," 
composed  of  the  tories  whose  adherence  and  devo- 
tion to  royalty  had  been  displayed  during  the  Ame- 
rican revolution  of  '7G  ;  they  and  their  descendants 
claimed  from  the  crown  peculiar  consideration.  As 
a  remuneration  for  the  losses  sustained,  and  their 
loyalty  in  that  eventful  struggle,  liberal  grants  of  the 
crown  lands  were  bestowed  upon  them  in  this,  as 
well  as  the  province  of  Nova  Scolia. 

Vast  numbers  had  first  settled  on  their  grants  in 
Nova  Scotia.  But  when  the  exploration  of  the 
upper  province  had  made  known  the  character  of 
its  climate,  and  developed  its  fertility  and  resources, 
they  changed  their  residences  and  migrated  thither. 


t' 


I 


:i| 


f 


I    ■ 


70 


1' 


1:  \> 


% 


1| 


Common  sympathies  and  common  interests  united 
them  in  an  exclusive  clique.  When  emigration  set 
in  from  the  mother  country,  it  was  chiefly  composed 
of  disbanded  soldiers,  who  thought  more  of  the  cul- 
tivation of  their  bounty  lands  than  the  ambition  for 
oflice.  Tlie  lucrative  employments  in  the  gift  of  the 
government  were,  therefore,  confided  to  this  party, 
who  used  every  art  to  maintain  them  exclusively 
under  their  own  control,  or  dispose  of  them  among 
such  as  became  by  marriage  identified  with  their  in- 
terests. The  second  party  which  arose  was  called 
par  excellence  the  British  party.  This  was  com- 
posed of  the  loyal  emigrants  from  the  United  King- 
dom, greater  proportion  of  whom  were  the  Orange- 
men of  Ireland.  They,  in  their  turn,  were  continu- 
ally striving  for  a  share  of  the  loaves  and  fishes. 
And  although  numerically,  and  by  the  organization 
of  their  secret  societies  the  stronger,  they  were  no 
match  in  cunning  for  the  Family  Compact.  Having 
at  all  times  the  ear  of  the  executive,  the  latter  ma- 
naged the  Briticih  party  as  tools  to  effect  their  own 
objects.  Whenever  an  aspirant  arose,  whom  they 
were  unable  to  shake  off,  they  bought  him  up  by 
securing  to  him  the  place  he  sought,  or  yielding  a 
minor  -^ne. 

The  progress  of  time  and  the  increase  of  popula- 
tion gave  birth  to  a  third  party,  more  numerous  than 
both  the  others.  These  were  denominated  Reform- 
ers, but  more  familiarly  known  under  the  name  of 
the  Radicals.  This  party  was  formed  by  the  union 
of  the  more  liberal  class  of  emigrants  from  England, 
Ireland,  and  Scotland,  who  kept  in  mind  the  motives 
for  which  they  had  abandoned  their  native  land,  and 
sought  a  home  in  the  wilderness;  together  with  some 
of  the  more  liberal  minded  sons  of  the  Nova  Scotians 
and  the  American  portion  of  the  population. 

In  addition  to  the  general  causes  which  produced 
the  results  in  the  lower  province,  as  mentioned  in 
the  previous  chapters,  there  were  here  others  still 


.^1 
4 


union 
jland, 
(lives 
and 
I  some 
)tians 

luced 
id  in 

still 


4 


A 


71 

more  abhorrent,  which  tended  to  create  wide  and 
universal  dissatisfaction. 

A  people  intelligent,  shrewd,  and  for  the  most  part 
educated,  accustomed  to  form  opinions  for  them- 
selves, and  whose  daily  intercourse  with  the  United 
States  kept  constantly  before  their  eyes  the  advan- 
tages of  self-government,  could  not  tamely  see  their 
inalienable  rights  wrested  from  them  by  a  small  mi- 
nority. By  the  advice  of  the  Lieutenant  Governor, 
Sir  Francis  Bond  Head,  the  other  two  parties  had 
coalesced,  and  he  himself  became  the  head  of  the 
party  he  had  created  from  such  discordant  materials. 

To  secure  the  election  of  his  own  partisans  to  seats 
among  the  representatives  of  the  people,  he  exerted 
a  power  intrusted  to  him  for  a  different  purpose:  To 
secure  the  elective  franchise  to  those  whom  he  knew 
would  vote  for  his  favourites,  he  distributed  deeds 
of  the  crown  lands,  and  thus  obtained  a  majority  of 
his  partisans  in  the  "popular  branch  of  the  legislature. 

This  last  stroke  of  policy  exasperated  the  people, 
and  they  openly  and  boldly  expressed  their  discon- 
tent. Nor  were  leaders  wanting  among  themselves, 
every  way  qualified  by  character  and  talents  to  di- 
rect their  opinions.  Meetings  were  called,  measures 
discussed,  and  societies  formed.  Committees  were 
appointed  by  these  Reformers  to  organize  Union 
Clubs,  similar  in  their  plan  to  that  of  the  United 
Irishmen  Societies  in  1797-8.  So  universal  was 
the  excitement,  that  in  a  short  time  two  thousand  of 
these  clubs  were  formed.  They  had  frequent  meet- 
ings, and  perfected  themselves  in  the  use  of  arms. 

Among  their  leaders  none  was  more  popular ^than 
William  Lyon  Mackenzie.  Both  in  the  parliament, 
where  for  many  years  he  held  a  seat,  and  out  of  it, 
he  had  been  the  untiring  zealous  friend  of  the  peo- 
ple. At  the  head  of  the  most  influential  press  in 
either  province,  with  a  daring  character  and  un- 
flagging purpose,  he  at  all  times  maintained  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  whole  bodyx)f  the  Reformers, 


i, 


'-■\ 


Kl  ' 


,  I 


3 

I 


t 


%'lf 


ri 

1  ■  '1 

•      vi 
1 

i      1 

11 


M 


I 


II 


72 

Marsliall  S.  Bidwcll,  the  speaker  of  the  House, 
Dr.  Rolph,  and  Dr.  JNIorrison,  with  a  number  of 
others,  were  also,  witli  JNIackenzie,  in  the  confidence 
of  the  people,  and  their  acknowledged  leaders. 

From  tlioni  emanated  the  following  paper; — a 
Declaration  of  Rights,  in  tone,  character,  and  force 
of  sentiment,  strongly  resembling  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  from  the  pen  of  Thomas  Jefferson, 
which  was  so  unanimously  adopted  on  a  similar 
occasion  by  the  American  Congress. 

THE  DECLARATION  OF  THE  REFORMERS,  OF  THE 
CITY  OF  TORONTO,  TO  THEIR  FELLOW-REFORMERS 
IN    UrPER    CANADA. 

The  time  has  arrived,  after  nearly  half  a  century's 
forbearance,  under  increasing  and  aggravated  mis- 
rule, when  the  duty  we  owe  our  country  and  pos- 
t  ^rity  requires  from  us  the  assertion  of  our  rights, 
and  the  redress  of  our  wrongs. 

Government  is  founded  on  the  authority,  and  is 
instituted  for  the  good  of 'the  people  :  when,  there- 
fore, any  government  long  and  systematically  ceases 
to  answer  the  great  ends  of  its  foundation,  the  peo- 
ple have  a  natural  right,  given  them  by  their  Creator, 
to  seek  after  and  establish  such  institutions  as  will 
yield  the  greatest  quantity  of  happiness  to  the  great- 
est number. 

Our  forbearance  heretofore  has  only  been  rewarded 
with  an  aggravation  of  our  grievances;  and  our  past 
inattention  to  our  rights  has  been  ungenerously  and 
unjustly  urged  as  evidence  of  the  surrender  of  them. 
We  have  now  to  choose,  on  the  one  hand,  between 
submission  to  the  same  blighting  policy  as  hath  de- 
solated Ireland ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  patri- 
otic achievement  of  cheap,  honest,  and  responsible 
government. 

The  right  was  conceded  to  the  present  United 
States  at  the  close  of  a  successful  revolution,  to  form 


;-3 


I'i 

•  'i 

'A 

li! 


73 

a  constitution  for  themselves;  and  the  loyalists,  with 
their  descendants  and  others  now  peopling  this  por- 
tion of  America,  are  entitled  to  the  same  liberty  with- 
out the  shedding  of  blood :  more  they  do  not  ask ; 
less  they  ought  not  to  have.  But,  while  the  revo- 
lution of  the  former  has  been  rewarded  with  a  con- 
secutive prosperity  unexampled  in  the  history  of  the 
world,  the  loyal  valour  of  the  latter  alone  remains 
amid  the  blight  of  misgovernment,  to  tell  them  what 
they  might  have  been,  as  the  not  less  valiant  sons 
of  American  independence. 

Sir  Francis  Bond  Head  has  too  truly  portrayed 
our  country  "as  standing  in  the  flourishing  continent 
of  North  America  like  a  girdled  tree  with  its  droop- 
ing branches ;"  but  the  laws  of  nature  do  not,  and 
those  of  man  ought  no  longer  to  exhibit  this  invidi- 
ous and  humiliating  comparison. 

The  affairs  of  this  country  have  been,  even  against 
the  spirit  of  the  Constitutional  Act,  subjected  in  the 
most  injurious  manner  to  the  interferences  and  inter- 
dictions of  a  succession  of  colonial  mhiisters  in  Eng- 
land, who  have  never  visited  the  country,  and  can 
never  possibly  become  acquainted  with  the  state  of 
parties,  or  the  conduct  of  public  functionaries,  except 
through  oflicial  channels  in  the  province,  which  are 
ill  calculated  to  convey  information  necessary  to  dis- 
close official  delinquencies,  and  correct  public  abuses. 
A  painful  experience  has  proved  how  impracticable 
it  is  for  such  a  succession  of  strangers  beneficially  to 
direct  and  control  the  affairs  of  a  people  four  thou- 
sand miles  off:  and  being  an  impracticable  system, 
felt  to  be  intolerable  by  those  for  whose  good  it  was 
professedly  intended,  it  ought  to  be  abolished,  and 
the  domestic  institutions  of  the  province  so  improved 
and  administered  by  the  local  authorities  as  to  ren- 
der the  people  happy  and  contented.  The  system 
of  painful  domination  has  been  banefuUy  furthered 
by  a  Lieutenant  Governor  sent  among  us  as  an  un- 
informed, unsophisticated  stranger,  who,  like   Sir 

7 


ij 


;,,!.: 


;  'hi 


■u 


i 


'I 


!4 


I ' 


-f:l|-:^ 


74 

Francis,  has  not  a  single  feeling  in  common  with  the 
people,  and  whose  hopes  and  responsibilities  began 
and  ended  in  Downing  Street.  And  this  painful 
domination  is  further  cherished  by  a  legislative 
council,  not  ejected,  and  therefore  irresponsible  to 
the  people  for  Avhom  they  legislate,  but  appointed 
by  the  ever-changing  colonial  minister,  for  life,  from 
pensioners  on  the  bounty  of  the  crown ;  oflicially, 
dependants,  and  needy  expectants. 

Under  this  mockery  of  law  and  government  we 
have  been  insulted,  injured,  and  reduced  to  the  brink 
of  ruin.  The  due  influence  and  purity  of  our  insti- 
tutions have  been  utterly  destroyed.  Our  governors 
are  the  mere  instruments  for  effecting  domination 
from  Downing  Street;  legislative  councillors  have 
been  initiated  into  executive  compliance,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  Powell,  Mr.  Baby,  and 
others;  the  executive  council  has  been  stript  of 
every  shadow  of  responsibility  and  of  every  shade 
of  duty ;  the  freedom  and  purity  of  elections  have 
lately  received  under  Sir  Francis  13.  Head,  a  final  and 
irretrievable  blow ;  our  revenue  has  been  and  still 
is  decreasing  to  such  an  extent  as  to  render  heavy 
additional  taxation  indispensable  for  the  payment  of 
the  interest  of  our  public  debt,  incurred  by  a  system 
of  improvement  and  profligate  expenditure  ;  our 
public  lands,  although  a  chief  source  of  wealth  to  a 
new  country,  have  been  sold  at  a  low  valuation  to 
speculating  companies  in  London,  and  resold  to  sett- 
lers at  very  advanced  prices,  the  excess  being  re- 
mitted to  England  to  the  serious  impoverishment  of 
the  country ;  the  ministers  of  religion  have  been 
corrupted  by  a  prostitution  of  the  casual  and  terri- 
torial revenue  to  salary  and  influence  them;  our 
clergy  reserves,  instead  of  being  devoted  to  the  pur- 
poses of  general  education,  though  so  much  needed 
and  loudly  demanded,  have  been  in  part  sold,  to  the 
amount  of  upwards  of  ^300,000,  paid  into  the  mi- 
litary chest,  and  sent  to  England;  numerous  rectories 


4 


I 


nt  we 
brink 
r  insti- 
ernors 
nation 
3  have 
in  the 
ly,  and 
ipt   of 
shade 
3  have 
pi  and 
,d  still 
heavy 
lent  of 
system 
;    our 
h  to  a 
ion  to 
o  sett- 
ng  re- 
ent  of 
been 
terri- 
;   OUT 
e  pur- 
eeded 
to  the 
e  mi- 
tories 


II 


75 

have  been  established,  against  the  almost  unanimous 
wishes  of  the  people,  with  certain  oxchisive  ecclesi- 
astical spiritual  rights  and  privileges,  according  to 
the  established  Church  of  England,  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  equal  religious  rights ;  public  salaries,  pen- 
sions, and  sinecures  have  been  augmented  in  number 
and  amount,  notwithstanding  the  impoverishment 
of  our  revenue  and  country,  and  the  parUament  has, 
under  the  name  of  arrearages,  paid  the  retrench- 
ments made  in  past  years  by  reform  parliaments ; 
our  judges  have,  in  spite  of  our  condition,  been 
doubled,  and  wholly  selected  from  the  most  violent 
political  partisans,  against  our  equal  civil  and  reli- 
gious liberties ;  and  a  Court  of  Chancery,  suddenly 
adopted  by  a  subservient  parliament,  against  the 
long  cherished  expectation  of  the  people  against  it, 
and  its  operations  fearfully  extended  into  the  past, 
so  as  to  jeopardise  every  title  and  transaction  from 
the  beginning  of  the  province  to  the  present  time. 
A  law  has  been  passed  enabling  magistrates,  ap- 
pointed during  pleasure,  at  the  representation  of  a 
grand  jury  selected  by  the  sheriff  holding  office  dur- 
ing pleasure,  to  tax  the  people  at  pleasure,  without 
their  previous  knowledge  or  consent,  upon  all  their 
rateable  property,  to  build  and  support  workhouses 
for  thr  efuge  of  the  paupers  invited  by  Sir  Francis 
from  tlie  parishes  of  Great  Britain ;  thus  unjustly 
and  wickedly  laying  the  foundation  of  a  system 
which  must  result  in  taxation,  pestilence,  and  fa- 
mine. Public  loans  have  been  authorized  by  im- 
provident legislation  to  nearly  eight  millions  of  dol- 
lars, the  surest  way  to  make  th».  people  both  poor 
and  dependent;  the  ^parliament,  subservient  to  Sir 
Francis  B.  Head's  blighting  administration,  has,  by 
an  unconstitutional  act,  sanctioned  by  him,  prolonged 
their  duration  after  the  demise  of  the  crown,  there- 
by evading  their  present  responsibility  to  the  people, 
depriving  them  of  the  exercise  of  their  elective 
franchise  on  the  present  occasion,  and  extending  the 


It 


:f 


I 


i 


r 


r 


m 


7iJ 

time  to  tlioir  imjiisl,  unconstitutional,  and  ruinous 
legislation  with  Sir  Francis  13.  Il<  ad ;  our  best  and 
most  worthy  citizens  have  been  dismissed  from  tlie 
bench  of  justice,  from  the  militia,  and  other  stations 
of  honour  and  usefulness,  for  exercising  their  riglits 
as  freemen  in  attending:  public  mecthigs  for  the  re- 
generation of  our  condition,  as  instanced  in  the  cases 
of  Dr.  Baldwin,  Messrs.  Siiep])ard,  Johnson,  Small, 
Ridout,  and  others ;  those  of  our  fellow-subjects 
who  go  to  England  to  report  our  deplorable  condi- 
tion arc  denied  a  hearing,  by  a  partial,  unjust,  and 
oppressive  government,  while  the  authors  and  pro- 
moters of  our  wrongs  are  cordially  and  graciously 
received,  and  enlisted  iu  the  cause  of  our  further 
\frongs  and  misgovernrnent.  Our  public  revenues 
are  plundered  and  misapplied  without  redress,  and 
unavailable  securities  make  up  the  late  defalcation 
of  Mr.  P.  Robinson,  the  commissioner  of  public 
lands,  to  the  amount  of  ^80,000.  Interdicts  are  con- 
tinually sent  by  the  colonial  minister  to  the  governor, 
and  by  the  governor  to  the  provincial  parliament, 
to  restrain  and  render  futile  their  legislation,  which 
ought  to  be  free  and  unshackled,  these  instructions 
if  favourable  to  the  views  and  policy  of  the  enemies 
of  our  country,  are  rigidly  observed ;  if  favourable 
to  public  liberty,  they  are,  as  in  the  case  of  Earl 
Ripon's  despatch,  utterly  contemned,  even  to  the 
passage  of  the  ever-to-be-remembered  and  detest- 
able, everlasting,  salary  bill.  Lord  Glenelg  has 
sanctioned,  in  the  king's  name,  all  the  violations  of 
truth  and  of  the  constitution  by  Sir  Francis  B.  Head, 
and  both  thanked  and  titled  him  for  conduct  which, 
under  any  civilised  government,  would  be  the  ground 
of  impeachment. 

The  British  government,  by  themselves,  and 
through  the  legislative  council  of  their  appointment, 
have  refused  their  assent  to  laws  the  most  whole- 
some and  necessary  for  the  public  good,  among 
which  we  may  enumerate  the  intestate  estate  equal 


and 
|ment, 
^bole- 

long 
lequal 


77 

distribution  bill ;  tlic  bill  to  sell  tlic  clergy  reserves 
Ibr  educational  purposes ;  tbc  bill  to  remove  tbc  cor- 
rupt intluencc  of  tlio  executive  in  the  choosing  of 
juries,  and  to  secure  a  fair,  free  trial  by  jury;  the 
several  bills  to  encourage  emigration  from  foreign, 
parts;  the  bill  to  secure  the  independency  of  the  As- 
sembly ;  the  bill  to  amend  the  law  of  libel ;  the  bill 
to  appoint  commissioners  to  meet  otliers,  appointed 
by  Lower  Canada,  to  treat  on  matters  of  trade,  and 
other  matters  of  deep  interest;  the  bills  to  extend  the 
blessings  of  education  to  the  humbler  classes  hi  ev  ry 
township,  and  to  appropriate,  annually,  a  sum  of 
money  for  the  purpose ;  the  bill  to  dispose  of  the 
school  lands  in  aid  of  education ;  several  bills  for  the 
improvement  of  the  highways ;  the  bill  to  secure  the 
independence  of  voters,  by  establishing  the  vote  by 
ballot ;  the  bill  for  the  better  regulation  of  elections  of 
members  of  the  Assembly,  and  to  provide  that  they 
be  held  at  places  convenient  for  the  people  ;  the  bill 
for  the  relief  of  Quakers,  Menonists,  and  Tunkers ; 
the  bill  to  amend  the  present  obnoxious  courts  of 
request  laws,  by  allowing  the  people  to  choose  the 
commissioners,  and  to  have  a  trial  by  jury,  if  requir- 
ed ;  and  other  bills  to  improve  the  administration  of 
justice,  and  diminish  unnecessary  costs;  the  bills  to 
amend  the  charter  of  King's  College  University,  so 
as  to  remove  its  partial  and  arbitrary  system  of  go- 
vernment and  education ;  and  the  bill  to  allow  free 
competition  in  banking. 

The  King  of  England  has  forbidden  his  governors 
to  pass  laws  of  immediate  and  pressing  importance, 
unless  suspended  in  their  operation  till  his  assent 
should  be  obtained ;  and  when  so  suspended,  he  has 
utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  them.  He  has  inter- 
fered with  the  freedom  of  elections,  and  appointed 
elections  to  be  held  at  places,  dangerous,  inconve- 
nient, and  unsafe  for  the  people  to  assemble  at,  for 
the  purpose  of  fatiguing  them  into  his  measures, 
through  the   agency  of  pretended  representatives; 

7* 


^ 
V 


M 


H 


1 


.   i 


78 


:l^^ 


ill 


'yi:1 


and  has,  tlirou^li  his  Iijy;islativo  council,  prcvL-iitcJ 
provision  hoin^  niado  for  ({nict  and  [xjaccahle  olcc- 
tions,  as  in  the  case  of  llic  lalo  returns  at  IJeverlcy. 

He  has  dissolved  the  late  House  of  Asseni])ly,  for 
opposing,  Willi  manly  firmness,  Sir  Francis  IJ.  Head's 
invasion  of  the  right  of  llie  j)eoi)le  to  a  wliolcsonie 
control  over  the  revenue,  and  for  insisting  that  tlic 
persons  conducting  the  government  sliould  be  re- 
sponsible for  their  oflicial  conduct  to  the  country, 
through  its  representatives. 

I  le  Ijas  endeavoured  to  prevent  tlie  peopling  of  tliis 
province,  and  its  advancement  in  wealtii ;  for  that 
purpose  obstructing  tlie  laws  for  the  naturalization 
of  foreigners;  refusing  to  pass  others  to  encourage 
their  migration  hitlicr,  and  raising  the  condition  of 
new  appropriations  of  the  public  lands,  large  tracts 
of  which  he  has  bestowed  upon  unworthy  persons, 
his  favourites,  while  deserving  settlers  from  Ger- 
many, and  other  countries,  have  been  used  cruelly. 

He  has  rendered  the  administration  of  justice  liable 
to  suspicion  and  distrust,  by  obstructing  laws  for  es- 
tablishing a  fair  trial  by  jury;  by  refusing  to  exclude 
the  cliief  crimhial  judge  from  political  business;  and 
by  electing,  as  a  judiciary,  violent  and  notorious  par- 
tisans of  his  arbitrary  power. 

He  has  sent  a  standing  army  into  a  sister  province 
to  coerce  them  to  his  nnlawfnl  and  unconstitutional 
measures,  in  open  violation  of  their  rights  and  liber- 
ties; and  has  received,  with  marks  of  approbation, 
military  officers  who  interfered  with  citizens  of  Mon- 
treal, in  the  midst  of  an  election  of  their  representa- 
tives, and  brought  the  troops  to  coerce  them,  who 
shot  several  persons  dead,  wantonly,  in  the  public 
streets. 

Considering  the  great  number  of  lucrative  appoint- 
ments held  by  strangers  in  the  country,  whose  chief 
merit  appears  to  be  their  subserviency  to  any  and 
every  administration,  we  may  say  with  our  brother 
colonists  of  old,  "he  has  sent  hither  swarms  of  new 


ovincc 

Litional 

liber- 

Dation, 

Mon- 

senta- 

,  who 

public 


f  new 


oliiccrs  to  harass  the  people  and  oat  out  ihi'ii'  suh- 
stain'o." 

The  EiiijUsh  parhameiit  has  intcriVicd  with  our 
ititcninl  ntl'airs  and  regnlations,  by  the  passing  of 
grievous  and  tyrannical  eiuietments,  for  taxing  ns 
heavily,  without  our  consent ;  for  j)roiiihiting  us  to 
purchase  many  articles  of  the  first  importance  at  the 
chea|)cst  European  and  American  markets,  and 
compelling  us  to  buy  such  goods  and  merchandise, 
at  an  exorbitant  price,  in  markets  ot'  whicli  England 
has  a  monopoly. 

They  have  passed  resolutions  for  our  coercion,  of 
a  character  so  cruel  and  arbitrary,  that  Lord  Chan- 
cellor Brougliam  lias  recorded  on  tiie  journals  of  the 
house  of  Peers,  that  "  tliey  set  all  considerations  of 
a  sound  policy,  of  generosity,  and  of  justice  at  de- 
fiance," arc  wholly  subversive  of  "  the  fundamental 
principles  of  the  British  constitution,  that  no  part  of 
tlie  taxes  levied  on  the  people,  shall  be  applied  to 
any  purpose  whatever,  without  the  consent  of  the 
representatives  in  Parliament;"  and.  that  the  Cana- 
dian "precedent  of  1837,  will  ever  after  be  cited  in 
the  support  of  such  oppressive  proceedings  so  often 
as  the  commons  of  any  colony  may  withhold  sup- 
plies, how  justifiable  soever  their  refusal  may  be;" 
"  and,"  (adds  his  lordship,)  "  those  proceedings,  so 
closely  resembling  the  fatal  measures  that  severed 
the  United  States  from  Great  Britain,  have  their 
origin  in  principles,  and  derive  their  support  from 
reasonings  which  form  a  prodigious  contrast  to  the 
whole  grounds ;  and  the  only  defence  of  the  policy 
during  latter  years,  and  so  justly  and  so  wisely  sanc- 
tioned by  the  Imperial  Parliament  in  advocating  the 
affairs  of  the  mother  country.  Nor  is  it  easy  to 
imagine  that  the  inhabitants  of  either  the  American 
or  the  European  branches  of  the  empire  should  con- 
template so  strange  a  contrast,  without  drawing  in- 
ferences therefrom  discreditable  to  the  character  of 
the  legislature,  and  injurious  to  the  future  safety  of 


V 


Ml 


i; 


u 


!: 


k  i 


!1 !:  I 


sU^ 


■'".,( 


80 

the  state,  when  they  mark  with  what  different  mea- 
sures we  mete  to  six  hundred  thousand  inhabitants 
of  a  remote  province,  unrepresented  in  parhament, 
and  to  six  milUons  of  our  fellow-citizens  nearer 
home,  and  making  themselves  heard  by  their  repre- 
sentatives. Tlie  reflection  will  assuredly  rise  in  Ca- 
nada, and  may  possibly  find  its  way  into  Ireland, 
that  the  sacred  rules  of  justice,  the  most  worthy  feel- 
ings of  national  generosity,  and  the  soundest  princi- 
ples of  enlightened  policy  may  be  appealed  to  in 
vain,  if  the  demands  of  the  suitor  be  not  also  sup- 
ported by  personal  interests,  rnd  party  views,  and 
political  fears  among  those  whose  end  he  seeks; 
while  all  men  perceiving  that  many  persons  have 
found  themselves  at  liberty  to  hold  a  course  towards 
an  important,  but  remote  province,  which  their  con- 
stituents never  would  suffer  to  be  pursued  towards 
the  most  inconsiderable  borough  of  the  United 
Kingdom,  an  impression  will  inevitably  be  propa- 
gated, most  dangerous  to  the  maintenance  of  colo- 
nial dominion,  that  the  people  can  never  safely  in- 
trust the  powers  of  government  to  any  supreme  au- 
thority not  residing  among  themselves. 

In  every  stage  of  these  proceedings,  we  have  pe- 
titioned for  redress  in  most  humble  terms ;  our  re- 
peated petitions  have  been  answered  only  by  re- 
peated injuries.  Nor  have  we  been  wanting  in  at- 
tention to  our  British  brethren.  We  have  warned 
them,  from  time  to  time,  of  attempts  by  their  legis- 
lature, to  extend  unwarrantable  jurisdiction  over 
us ;  we  have  reminded  them  of  the  circumstances 
of  cur  emigration  and  settlement  here ;  we  have 
appealed  to  their  native  justice  and  magnanimity ; 
and  we  have  conjured  them  by  the  ties  of  common 
kindred  to  disavow  these  usurpations,  which  would 
inevitably  interrupt  our  connexion  and  correspond- 
ence. They,  too,  have  been  deaf  to  the  voice  of 
justice  and  consanguinity. 

We,  therefore,  the  reformers  of  the  city  of  To- 


81 


ronto,  sympathizing  with  our  fellow-citizens  here, 
and  throughout  the  North  American  colonies,  who 
desire  to  obtain  cheap,  honest,  and  responsible  go- 
vernment, the  want  of  which  has  been  the  source 
of  all  their  present  grievances,  as  its  continuance 
would  lead  to  their  utter  ruiii  and  desolation,  are  of 
the  opinion, 

First,  That  the  warmest  thanks  and  admiration 
are  due  from  the  reformers  of  Upper  Canada,  to  the 
honourable  Louis  Joseph  Papineau,  Esq.,  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  Lower  Canada,  and 
his  compatriots  in  and  out  of  the  legislature,  for 
their  past  uniform,  manly,  and  noble  independence 
in  favour  of  civil  and  religious  liberty ;  and  for  their 
present  devoted,  honourable,  and  patriotic  opposi- 
tion to  the  attempt  of  the  British  government  to 
violate  their  constitution,  without  their  consent,  sub- 
vert the  powers  and  privileges  of  their  local  parlia- 
ment, and  overawe  them,  by  coercive  measures,  into 
a  disgraceful  abandonment  of  their  just  and  reason- 
able wishes. 

Second,  That  the  reformers  of  Upper  Canada  arc 
called  upon  by  every  tie  of  feehng,  interest,  and 
duty,  to  make  common  cause  with  their  fellow-citi- 
zens of  Lower  Canada,  whose  successful  coercion 
would  doubtless,  in  time,  be  visited  upon  us,  and 
the  redress  of  whos-e  grievances  would  be  the  best 
guarantee  for  the  redress  of  our  own. 

To  render  this  co-operation  the  more  effectual,  we 
earnestly  recommend  to  our  feilow-citizens,  that  they 
exert  themselves  to  organize  political  associations  ; 
ihat  public  meetings  be  held  throughout  the  pro- 
vince ;  and  that  a  convention  of  delegates  be  elected 
and  assembled  at  Toronto,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  political  condition  of  Upper  Canada,  with  au- 
thority to  its  members  to  appoint  commissioners  to 
meet  others,  to  be  named  on  behalf  of  Lower  Ca- 
nada, and  other  colonies,  armed  with  suitable  powers 


i 


«, 


111 


, 


■  i 


i 


.(!  i 


VI' 


ri 


ii-f 


82 

as  a  congress,  to  seek  an  effectual  remedy  for  the 
grievances  of  the  colonies. 

1.  T.  D.  Morrison, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee. 
2.  John  Elliot,  Secretary. 


3.  David  Gibson, 

4.  John  Mackintosh, 

5.  W.  J.  O'Grady, 

6.  Edward  Wright, 

7.  Robert  M'Koy, 

8.  Thomas  EUiott, 

9.  E.  B.  Gilbert, 

10.  John  Montgomery, 

11.  John  Edward  Tims, 


12.  J.  H.  Price, 

13.  John  Doel, 

14.  M.  Reynolds, 

15.  James  Armstrong, 

16.  James  Hunter, 

17.  John  Armstrong, 

18.  William  Kitchen, 

19.  Wm.  L.  Mackenzie. 


CHAPTER  VH. 

Insurrection  in  the  Upper  Province — Defeat  at  Montgomery's. 

Upon  the  publication  of  this  bold  exposition  of 
their  intentions,  it  might  be  imagined  that  the  colo- 
nial government  ought  to  have  been  well  apprised 
of  the  designs  of  the  reformers,  who,  before  the  out- 
break in  the  lower  province,  had  sent  down  a  depu- 
tation to  M.  Papineau,  and  other  leaders,  to  ascertain 
their  intentions,  and  when  they  were  to  strike  the 
blow.  From  those  who  were  in  the  secret,  I  subse- 
quently learned  that  the  answer  was,  that  the  time 
would  soon  come,  and  for  the  upper  province  to  be 
ready.  That  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  winter,  if 
their  grievances  were  not  redressed,  they  would 
strike  for  separation — for  freedom. 

Meanwhile,  the  insurrection  broke  out  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Montreal ;  and  it  always  seemed  strange  to 
us,  that  knowing  all  these  facts,  as  Sir  Francis  Bond 


A'^^S 


83 


Head  since  pretended — and  I  speak  from  the  printed 
despatches  which  have  since  nj^peared  in  EngHsh 
papers — he  did  not  attempt  to  arrest  Mr.  Mackenzie, 
or  at  least  snppress  his  paper,  as  he  says  he  was 
strongly  urged  to  do  by  the  peaceable  portion  of  the 
community.  Had  he,  too,  his  orders  to  encourage 
the  rebellion  in  its  unprepared  state,  that  it  might  be 
the  more  easily  crushed  ? 

Be  that  as  it  may.  Sir  Francis  and  his  council 
agreed  to  have  Mr.  Mackenzie  arrested,  and  passed 
resolutions  to  that  effect,  which  have  been  recorded 
and  published  in  England.  He  was  absent  from  the 
city,  making  preparations  for  the  revolt,  which  was 
to  have  taken  place,  as  had  been  agreed  upon  by  the 
committee,  on  Thursday,  the  7th  of  December,  1837. 
But.  whether  it  was  from  a  knowledge  of  the  de- 
signs of  the  government,  or  from  some  other  reason 
which  has  never  yet  been  divulged.  Dr.  Rolph,  who 
had  been  chosen  as  their  executive,  sent  a  verbal  or- 
der to  Colonel  Lount,  on  the  Saturday  or  Sunday 
morning  previous,  to  assemble  his  men,  and  to  meet 
the  other  part  of  their  forces  at  Montgomery's,  on 
Tuesday  evening. 

This  changed  the  whole  plan,  unknown  to  Mr. 
Mackenzie,  who  had,  through  the  secretaries  of  the 
different  reform,  or  union  clubs,  advertised  then:, 
that  on  Thursday,  the  seventh  of  December,  they 
were  all  to  meet  at  Montgomery's  tavern,  thi?,e 
miles  from  Toronto,  on  one  of  the  most  public  roads 
of  the  province,  march  upon  the  city,  and,  in  cr  :.• 
junction  with  the  reformers  who  resided  there,  soi-^c 
the  governor,  take  the  City  Hall,  in  which  were  four 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  distribute  them  among  the 
people,  take  possession  of  the  garrison,  organize  a 
provisional  government,  assemble  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people,  and  declare  the  province  an  inde- 
pendent republic. 

Had  this  scheme  been  followed,  without  the 
shghtest  doubt,  the  province   would    have    fallen 


■1  ill 


t- 


t 


'A  i 


I 


I: 


84 

without  a  blow  into  the  hands  of  the  reformers. 
But  the  cliange  of  the  doy,  without  the  knowledge 
of  the  other  chiefs,  and  the  bringing  into  open  day- 
such  a  body  of  men  from  such  a  distance,  in  a 
thickly  settled  country,  of  course  betrayed  to  the  go- 
vernment the  true  state  of  affairs,  and  enabled  them 
to  prevent  a  surprise.  Mr.  Mackenzie  knew  not  of 
their  coming  until  it  was  too  late  to  prevent  it,  and 
too  late  to  remedy  the  evil ;  but,  seeing  what  the  re- 
sult would  be,  if  they  then  attempted  to  stop  this 
fatal  movement  by  dispersing,  went  to  the  spot,  and 
tried  to  turn  it  to  advantage.  But  the  men  who  liad 
arrived  with  Colonel  Lou)it,  not  meeting  the  thou- 
sands that  they  reasonably  expected,  and  tired  with 
their  long  and  fatiguing  march  over  wretched  roads, 
became  dispirited.  Ill-humoured  and  hungry,  they 
sought  more  eagerly  after  refreshment  and  rest,  than 
to  continue  their  march,  fatigued  as  they  were,  half- 
armed,  and  unsupported  by  those  whom  they  were 
told  would  be  there,  to  enter  a  city  which  they 
imagined  prepared  to  dispute  their  entrante. 

Colonel  Van  Egmond,  a  wealthy  landed  proprie- 
tor, who,  in  his  younger  days,  had  served  as  aid-de- 
camp to  Napoleon,  a  man  of  acknowledged  mili- 
tary experience,  had  been  chosen  their  commander. 
He  had  not  arrived ;  and  Mr.  Mackenzie,  although 
never  seeking  any  command,  and  refusing  it  when 
offered  to  him,  took  upon  him  then,  in  that  emergen- 
cy, to  direct  what  should  be  done,  and  with  another 
gentleman,  Captain  Anthony  Anderson,  who,  with 
some  military  knowledge,  miited  a  daring  disposi- 
tion and  reckless  bravery,  adopted  every  means  that 
the  occasion  demanded  and  required.  They  placed 
guards  upon  every  avenue,  to  prevent  any  ingress 
or  communication  with  the  city,  from  the  numerous 
loyalists  of  the  neighbourhood,  and,  in  the  absence 
of  all  intelligence  from  the  city,  either  from  the  exe- 
cutive, at  whose  orders  these  men  had  been  sum- 
moned, or  from  any  friend  :  he  rode  forward,  ac- 


< 


ormers. 
)wledge 
pen  day 
;e,  in  a 
(  the  go- 
ed  them 
V  not  of 
t  it,  and 
,t  the  re- 
itop  this 
;pct,  and 
who  had 
he  thou- 
red  with 
ed  roads, 
^ry,  they 
rest,  tlian 
ere,  half- 
licy  were 
lich  they 

propric- 
s  aid-de- 
ed mih- 
[imander. 
lalthongh 
it  when 
finergen- 
anori-ier 
[10,  with 
disposi- 
;ans  that 
placed 
ingress 
Lunerous 
1 absence 
the  exe- 
m  sum- 
ird,  ac- 


83 

companied  by  Messrs.  Anderson  and  Sheppard,  to 
ascertain  from  the  preparation  inside,  whetlicr  he 
would  be  warranted,  with  this  small  force  of  fa- 
tigued men,  to  attempt  its  capture  by  a  coup  de 
main. 

Vague  and  uncertain  rumours  had,  however, 
reached  ihe  city  of  these  extraordinary  movements, 
and  many  of  the  loyalists  had  taken  horse,  and  rode 
out  into  the  surrounding  country,  to  ascertain  the 
truth  of  the  astounding  stories  that  had  been  whis- 
])('rcd  from  one  to  the  other.  When  Mackenzie  and 
ills  companions  were  about  returning,  they  met  with 
two  of  those  gentlemen — one,  a  Mr.  Powell,  who 
was  afterwards  ma}  r  of  Toronto,  and  who,  I  be- 
lieve, still  holds  the  saiae  office,  and  a  merchant  by 
the  name  of  M'Donncll.  They  were  arrested  by 
]\Ir.  Mackenzie,  and  ordered  to  return  with  him. 
They  did  so.  On  demanding  their  arms,  Mr.  Powell 
pledged  his  word  of  honour  that  he  was  unarmed. 
INUickenzie  believed  him,  sent  them  forward  with 
his  companions,  saying,  that  as  they  were  his  towns- 
men, and  men  of  honour,  he  would  believe  them, 
and  not  have  them  searched.  After  they  had  ridden 
some  :ime,  McDonnell  along  with  Sheppard,  and 
Powell  behind,  riding  abreast  with  Mr.  Anderson, 
who  was  armed  with  a  rifle,  Powell  slackened  his 
horse's  pace,  and  got  a  little  behhid  the  others,  seized 
a  pistol  from  his  holsters,  and  shot  Mr.  Anderson  in 
the  back  of  the  head.,  who  fell  from  his  horse  dead. 
He  then  turned  round,  and  rode  back  at  his  horse's 
utmost  speed,  although  attempted  Xc  be  stopped  by 
]Mr.  INIackenzie,  who  was  some  distance  behind  when 
the  deed  was  done.  Mackenzie  pi.rsued  him — fired  at 
him,  but  missed,  their  horses  being  neck  and  neck  for 
some  time,  even  to  the  very  entrance  of  the  city.  He 
uttempted  to  drag  Powell,  who  was  a  strong,  heavy 
man,  off  his  horse  ;  and  Powell,  with  his  remahiing 
pistol, endeavoured  to  shoot  him;  which  was  only  pre- 

8 


i 


i'1 


M 


III 


i 


t- 


iImI' 


? 


r:i; 


u 


86 

vented  by  his  hurry  in  cocking  the  pistol,  that  the 
priming  was  thrown  out,  and  it  missed  fire. 

Powell  arrived  in  the  city,  and  rode  immediately 
to  the  Government  House,  where  it  is  said  he  found 
the  governor  in  bed,  and  asleep,  unconscious  of  the 
alarm  of  danger  without.  The  alarm  was  given — 
bells  were  rung — the  loyalists  were  hurriedly  got  to- 
gether, and  repaired  to  the  City  Hall,  the  place  of 
the  greatest  security — obtained  their  arms — where 
Sir  Francis  joined  them,  after  having  placed  his  family 
on  board  a  steamboat  in  the  river.  So  great  had 
been  the  consternation,  that  during  that  night  and 
the  next  morning,  scarce  were  there  more,  I  have 
heard  from  eye  witnesses,  than  one  hundred  and 
fift\ ,  or  two  hundred  persons,  answered  the  r.vcr- 
i: -u^^"  call  to  arms.  The  great  mass  of  the  popula- 
'.ion  being  favourable  to  the  attempt,  did  not  stir;  and 
many  more,  being  lukewarmly  loyal,  thought  it  best, 
in  thftir  ignorance  of  the  numbers  of  the  patriots,  to 
aLi('e  in  their  houses  and  await  the  issue  of  the 
fitr^,",rLrle. 

On  the  return  of  Mackenzie  with  the  corpse  of 
the  murdered  Anderson,  it  aroused  the  indignation 
of  the  insurgents;  and  at  that  moment,  had  there 
been  any  one  in  whom  they  had  confidence  as  a 
military  leader,  his  death  would  have  been  most 
amply  avenged  ;  but  at  that  moment  they  had  none 
in  whom  all  confided.  Delay  at  such  a  moment  is 
always  dangerous,  if  not  certain  defeat.  They  let 
the  decisive  houv  pass,  and  from  that  moment  the 
future  movements  of  the  revolution  showed  the  truth 
of  the  trite  .s.iying  of  Shakspeare,  "  that  there  is  a 
tide  in  the  <,ffairs  of  men,  which,  taken  at  the  flood, 
leads  on  to  fortune,  but,  neglected,"  &c. 

Anotlier  event  took  pi  ice  tliat  night,  which,  al- 
tliough  it  was  much  re  if  retted  then,  (still  it  was  one 
that  could  not  be  avoided  under  the  circumstances. 
The  chain  of  sentinels  that  had  been  placed  to  pre- 
V'jut  any  attempt  to  enter  the  city,  challenged  two 


i  m- 


at  the 

liately 

found 

of  the 

iven — 

got  to- 

ace  of 

-where 

family 

at  had 

;ht  and 

I  have 

3d  and 

p'.-vcr- 

popula- 

tir ;  and 

:  it  best, 

liots,  to 

of  the 


gnation 


rpsc  of 
ation 
there 
;e  as  a 
In  most 
Id  none 
nent  is 
|hey  let 
!nt  the 
le  truth 
re  is  a 
flood, 

lich,  al- 
^as  one 
tances. 
to  pre- 
id  two 


87 

gentlemen  on  horseback,  who  strove  to  pass  them. 
They  pushed  past  the  first,  and  when  tliey  came 
near  to  the  second,  tlicy  were  conmianded,  in  a  loud 
voice,  peremptorily  to  lialt.  The  sentinel  was  an 
old  soldier,  and  brought  his  rifle  to  bear  upon  the 
for(nnost,  whose  companion  seemed  to  urge  a  com- 
pliance with  the  sentinel's  command. 

"  I  never  will  be  stopped  on  the  queen's  high- 
way by  any  number  of  rebels." 

The  voice  seemed  famihar  to  the  sentinel,  who 
stood  his  ground,  and  called  out, 

"  Col.  Moodie,  I  know  you  well — I  respect  you, 
and  would  not  harm  you — but  I  am  a  soldier,  and 
placed  here  to  prevent  any  one  passing ;  you  know 
what  my  duty  is,  and  you  can  never  pass  me  alive." 

The  colonel  drew  a  pistol,  fired  at  the  man,  spur- 
red on  his  horse,  and  fell — foi'  a  bullet  from  the  rifle 
of  the  faithful  sentinel  had  pierced  his  body. 

He  was  carried  into  Montgomery's,  and  every  at- 
tention paid  him ;  but  in  a  very  short  time  he  breathed 
his  last.  Before  his  death,  however,  j\e  admhted 
that  he  merited  his  fate,  from  his  folly  in  attempting 
to  pass  an  armed  post  so  well  guarded,  forgave  with 
his  dying  breath  the  person  who  had  shot  him,  and 
requested  that  his  remains  should  be  sent  to  his 
family,  which  request  was  complied  with. 

The  following  morning,  numbers  of  persons  from 
the  surrounding  country,  and  the  city,  increased  the 
strength  of  the  patriots,  and  diminished  the  strcnglli 
of  the  belecigured  governor,  who,  dreading  the  at- 
tack, sent  out  to  the  patriot  camp  a  flag  of  truce,  re- 
questing to  know  what  were  the  grievances  they 
complained  of,  and  what  they  demanded  ?  It  has 
happened,  sometimes,  that  the  wisest  of  men  have 
done  the  most  foolish  actions,  and  vice  versa.  Such 
appeared  to  be  the  case  with  Sir  Francis  in  this  in- 
stance. Whether  designedly,  or  by  accident,  no  per- 
son that  he  could  have  chosen  wo;;ld  have  better  an- 
swered the  puipose   to  advance  the  cause  of  the 


I 


U 


li 


-   1 J 


11' 


^1' 


lii! 


1  ■ 

Si' 


S8 


li  i 


loyalists  than  the  individual  he  stunib.ed  upon. 
That  Hag  of  truce,  borne  between  a  trembling  gover- 
nor and  hundreds  of  men  desiring  freedom  for  them- 
selves and  posterity,  was  borne  by  Dr.  Roiph,  the 
very  man  who  was  known  to  be,  by  every  one  of 
the  persons  there,  chosen  as  their  executive  ;  he  was 
accompanied  by  Dr.  Baldwin  and  Hugh  Carmichael. 
News  of  the  disasters  and  defeat  attending  the  pa- 
triots in  the  lower  province  had  reached  above,  and 
were  widely  circulated ;  and  when  the  people  saw 
those  gentlemen,  in  such  an  unexpected  capacity, 
come  out  to  them  with  the  governor's  message,  they 
very  naturally  concluded,  that,  like  many  others, 
they  too  had  deserted  the  cause  of  the  people.  There 
is,  with  persons  brought  up  and  educated  under  a 
monarchical  government,  a  feeling  that  cannot  be  de- 
scribed, on  the  subject  of  rebellion.  They  are  too 
apt  to  associate  the  name  with  the  after  punishment 
attending  it,  if  unsuccessful;  and  there  was  nothing 
in  the  conduct  of  these  men  to  do  away  with  the  im- 
pression that  the  great  mass  entertained.  They  de- 
sired to  see*  the  leaders  apart  from  the  men.  Mac- 
kenzie wisely  deemed  that  the  employment  of  such 
men  only  showed  a  weakness  on  the  part  of  Sir 
Francis,  which  was  the  fact ;  and  that  his  object  was 
to  obtain  time  until  a  force  cotild  be  got  together 
from  the  more  loyal  districts,  by  means  of  the  steam- 
boats at  the  command  of  the  government.  After 
events  showed  the  truth  of  his  conjectures.  In  an- 
swer to  their  demand,  what  do  the  patriots  want  ? 
hb  sent  verbally  to  the  governor,  "  That  they  wanted 
independence,  and  a  national  convention  to  arrange 
details."  After  their  departure,  Mackenzie,  knowing 
the  little  faith  to  be  placed  in  Sir  Francis,  strove  to 
have  them  march  upon  the  citjr.  The  greater  part 
of  the  day  was  spent  in  council,  when  it  should  have 
been  used  in  action.  Mackenzie's  plan  of  march- 
ing immediately  upon  the  town  was  countermanded, 
by  an  order  from  Dr.  Rolph  to  await  until  six  o'clock 


I 


upon, 
^ovcr- 
thcm- 
h,  the 
)ne  of 
e  was 
icliacl. 
he  pa- 
e,  and 
e  saw 
pacity, 
e,  they 
others, 
There 
nder  a 
be  de- 
ire  too 
shment 
lothing 
the  im- 
ley  de- 
Mac- 
f  such 
of  Sir 
;ct  was 
)gether 
Isteam- 
After 
[n  an- 
Iwant  ? 
'cuhted 
liTange 
lowing 
)ve  to 
)r  part 
have 
parch- 
knded, 
''clock 


89 

in  the  evoning,  that  tlic  rcinfoi  emcnts  coming  hourly 
to  them,  would  add  to  their  strength,  and  would  pro- 
bably bring  also  Col.  Van  Egmond,  on  whoso  mili- 
tary judgment  they  all  could  rely. 

Desertions,  however,  began  plainly  to  diminish 
their  numbers ;  and  to  avoid  this,  and  keep  them 
together  until  the  evening,  they  were  marched  nearer 
to  the  town,  and  kept  in  some  kind  of  discipline. 
A  house  belonging  to  Dr.  Ilorne,  a  loyalist,  which 
was  un(|uestionably  used  to  harbour  the  scouts  from 
the  city,  or,  as  the  patriots  termed  them,  spies,  fell  un- 
der the  indignation  of  the  men,  and  wus  destroyed. 
A  similar  fate  was  intended  for  that  of  Mr.  Sheritf 
Jarvis,  in  the  neighbourhood,  but  was  prevented  by 
CoL  Lount,  who  was  opposed  to  the  wanton  de- 
struction of  property.  Knowing  tliat  the  family  of 
Mr.  Jarvas  inhabited  the  house,  and  that  Mrs.  Jarvis 
was  indisposed,  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life,  he  op- 
posed its  being  committed  to  the  flames. 

The  burning  of  Dr.  Home's  house,  as  well  as  the 
report  brought  into  the  city  of  the  paucity  of  the 
numbers,  gave  additional  encouragement  to  those 
within  the  city.  From  the  fear  of  falling  into  the 
hands  of  such  men,  before  the  expected  succour 
came  by  the  boats,  and  the  information  that  there 
were  so  few  at  Montgomery's,  impelled  those  who 
were  backward  before,  to  turn  out  and  join  the  others 
in  defence  of  the  city.  Tliis  encouraged  Sir  Francis, 
and  he  sent  another  flag  out,  refusing  the  demand 
of  Mackenzie.  As  soon  as  the  hour  arrived  ordered 
by  Dr.  Rolph,  the  whole  party  advanced  upon  the 
city.  The  advance  party,  which  had  been  sent  for- 
ward to  clear  any  ambusli  that  might  easily  be  placed 
along  the  fences,  encountered  a  small  party  under 
the  counnand  of  the  sheritf,  and  exchanged  shots. 
Nev*or  had  a  lire  so  harmless  such  fa/al  results.  The 

their  heels,  and  ran  for  the 


)  ■ 


'ai 


took 


city, 
and  the 


while  the  advance  riilemen  of  the  patriots, 
pikemen  and  others  who  followed,  were  thrown  into 


' 


!■; 


'  A  f 


11! 


!i;. 


'  ;Ml 


90 

confusion.  Tliis  was  occasionL'd  by  a  new  nuuKXii- 
vrc  in  tactics,  that  the  worthy  man  wlio  led  tlie  ad- 
vance had  introduced,  and  is  one  that  is  not  gene- 
rally known  among  tacticians.  He  commanded  his 
men,  that  when  they  fell  in  with  the  enemy's  skir- 
mishers— that  they  should  reserve  their  fire — and  us 
soon  as  they  perceived  the  flash  of  the  tories'  mus- 
kets, they  should  fall  down  flat  on  their  faces — rise 
and  return  their  fire.  They  did  so — the  whistling 
of  the  balls,  and  seeing  so  many  of  tlie  advance 
party  fallin:;.  whom  they  thought  killed — they  became 
confused,  frightened,  and  at  last — why  should  it  be 
denied — the  greater  part — ignobly  ran  away. 

To  encourage  those  that  remained,  INIackenzic 
offered  to  go  with  them  into  the  city,  or  with  even 
only  fifty  who  would  volunteer;  but  they  answered, 
"  We  will  go  in  by  daylight,  when  wo  can  see  our 
enemy,  but  not  in  darkness  like  this."  They  re- 
turned to  their  old  quarters,  and  although  that  night 
they  were  joined  by  nearly  two  hundred  persons 
more,  yet  the  next  morning  at  daylight  they  were 
much  less  numerous  J^ian  they  had  been  the  pre- 
vious day.  In  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  JNIackcn- 
zie,  with  a  small  party,  on  Dundas  Street,  inter- 
cepted th<  Great  "'-Vestern  mail  stage,  and  took  the 
passengers  and  driver  prisoners,  opened  the  mail, 
and  found  letters  from  Mr.  O'Sullivan,  the  president 
of  tiie  executive  council,  and  others,  to  the  different 
officers  of  the  militia,  and  half-pay  officers,  calling 
on  them  to  turn  out  in  support  of  the  crown.  They 
also  learned,  that  as  soon  as  the  expected  succour 
arrived,  that  the  governor  would  march  out  and 
attack  the  patriots  at  their  encampment. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  no  measure  was  taken 
to  strengthen  the  place  at  Montgomery's,  nor  the 
several  points  on  the  road,  betweeii  that  and  the 
city,  where  a  few  men  could  have  disputed  the  pas- 
sage with  an  army,  but  they  waited  in  the  hope  of 
not  being  attacked  until  after  the  next  day,  (Thurs- 
day,) which  had  been  the  day  intended  and  known 


^ 


i 


'11 


J 


01 

fo  all  tlio  rcformrr-s  in  tltc  prvivinco.  In  the  morn- 
ing, reinforcements  began  to  come  in  from  the  dis- 
tant tou'iisliips,  and  with  them  came  Col.  Van  Eg- 
mond.  Matters  now  began  to  assume  more  order;  u 
party  of  men,  sixty  in  number,  among  whom  were 
forty  rillemen,iiood  marksmen,  together  with  a  corps 
dc  rescrvc,{o  ha  ready  if  retjuircd, under  the  command 
of  Captain  Peter  Matthews,  were  ordered  off  to  the 
Don  Bridge,  the  eastern  approach  to  the  city,  to 
make  a  diversion  there,  and  to  occuj)y  the  attention 
of  the  force  within,  burn  the  bridge  and  the  house 
near  it,  or  to  draw  out  the  forces  in  that  direction  if 
they  could,  and  also  to  assume  what  posiiion  or 
do  whatever  the  prudence  of  Captain  M:  \vs 
should  dictate. 

Tiic  party  under  Capt.  iNlatthews,  after  a  slight 
skirmish,  and  with  the  loss  of  but  a  few  men,  drove 
in  the  picket  guard  stationed  at  the  liridge,  and  fol- 
lowed them  into  the  city,  and  for  a  while  held  pos- 
session, but  hearing  a  cannonading  at  some  distance, 
they  conjectured  that  the  main  party  at  Montgo- 
mery's had  been  attacked,  and  fearful  of  the  bridge 
being  burned  before  they  got  there,  they  retreated 
and  took  a  route  through  the  woods  to  join  their 
friends. 

After  the  party  for  the  Don  Bridge  had  left  Mont- 
gomery's, instead  of  the  main  body  moving  imme- 
diately upon  the  town,  the  time  was  spent  in  a 
council  of  war,  discussing  a  measure  that  had  al- 
ready been  settled.  Their  council  was  interrupted 
by  the  entrance  of  one  of  the  men  witli  the  news 
of  the  enemy  coming  upon  them,  and  within  half  a 
mile  of  them,  with  a  park  of  artillery.  Hastily  the 
men  were  got  together,  and  formed  along  the  side 
of  the  wood  which  skirted  their  encampment.  The 
battle  then  commenced  with  a  heavy  fire  of  grape 
and  cannister  from  the  artillery,  and  repeated  volleys 
of  musketry  from  the  loyalists,  which  was  returned 
with  more  deadly  effect  from  the  rifles  of  the  pa- 
triots.    After  the  first  discharge,  those  of  the  pa- 


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triots  who  were  timid,  perceiving  that  the  artillery 
and  the  muskets  of  the  loyahsts  made  more  noise  than 
execution,  ralhed,  and  hegan  to  choose  a  position, 
wliich  gave  them  a  decided  advantage  ov^er  men  who 
were  closely  huddled  together, and  then  returned  each 
volley  with  spirit,  until  a  report  spread  among  them, 
that  they  were  surrounded,  as  was  the  case ;  for  Sir 
Francis,  having  received  strong  reinforcements  by 
the  steamers  from  Cobourg,  Hamilton,  and  Niagara, 
had  divided  them  into  three  divisions — the  main 
body  marching  direct  upon  them  by  Yonge  Street, 
and  the  other  two  by  bye-roads  and  paths,  about  a 
mile  to  the  right  and  left  of  Avhere  the  patriots  were 
encamped.  The  main  body  marched  some  time 
after  the  two  divisions,  allowing  them  sufficient  time 
to  make  the  circuit ;  but  from  some  obstacles  wliich 
they  met  with  in  their  way,  they  were  not  there  in 
time,  or  the  whole  party  of  the  patriots  would  have 
been  completely  surrounded  and  cut  to  pieces.  As 
it  was,  after  a  decided  advantage  with  the  main 
body  of  the  loyalists,  which  was  much  superior  in 
numbers,  they  were  compelled  to  retreat,  which  they 
did  in  more  order  than  could  have  been  anticipated 
from  their  previous  movements,  leaving  their  killed 
and  wounded  on  the  field. 

It  is  justly  due  to  those  men,  mostly  farmers,  to 
say,  that  even  among  the  tories  who  were  there,  I 
have  subsequently  learned,  that  had  the  patriots  had 
competent  leaders,  inferior  as  they  were  in  force  to 
the  party  attacking,  they  certainly  would,  had  they 
'  continued  much  longer  to  pour  in  so  deadly  a  fire, 
have  repulsed  the  loyalists ;  but  without  the  confi- 
dence in  one  another  which  discipline  gives,  and 
taken  unawares,  and  surrounded,  and  half-armed, 
tliey  stood  well,  better,  indeed,  than  most  men  of 
other  countries  would. 

After  the  retreat,  Mackenzie,  Fletcher,  and  Van 
Egmond,  and  others,  met  and  held  a  consultation  at 
a  place  called  Hogg's  Hollow,  where  they  concluded, 


93 


fers,  to 

Its  had 

Irce  to 

they 

la  fire, 

Iconfi- 

and 

•nied, 

;n  of 

Van 

)n  at 

[ided, 


that  under  tlic  then  circumstancos,  it  would  be  use- 
less to  reassemble  tlieir  scattered  forces.  Tliijy  agreed 
that,  without  arms,  after  such  a  repulse,  their  suc- 
cess would  be  doubtful.  On  the  receipt  of  this  in- 
telligence, many  returned  to  their  homes,  others  kept 
together  to  make  their  way  into  the  other  districts, 
where,  they  had  understood,  the  insurrection  was  to 
have  broken  out,  whilst  some  of  the  leaders  deter- 
mined to  make  their  way  to  the  United  States,  which 
many  of  tliem  accomplished ;  this  was  their  great 
misfortune.  Had  they,  after  the  defeat,  rallied  at 
some  given  place,  retaining  their  arms,  they  might 
have  swelled  with  the  numbers  which  they  met  ap- 
proaching, with  whicli  every  road  was  crowded, 
from  every  quarter,  and  have  contended  with  the 
triumphant  party  with  success. 

Thousands  of  these  men  from  the  distant  town- 
ships, were  met  by  the  loyalists,  most  of  them,  of 
course,  without  arms ;  and  when  they  heard  of  tlie 
result,  made  a  virtue  of  necessity,  and  pretended  to 
the  governor,  that  they  had  come  to  aid  the  queen's 
government,  and,  if  the  pretence  was  shallow,  the 
governor  was  far  too  shrewd  to  perceive  it.  They 
were  taken  in  as  volunteers,  and  enrolled,  and  after- 
wards obliged  to  live  up  to  the  character  which  ne- 
cessity, not  choice,  had  caused  them  to  assume. 

Unnecessarily,  and  without  the  slightest  reason, 
unless  in  retaliation  for  the  burning  of  Dr.  Home's 
house,  Sir  Francis  ordered  the  extensive  premises  of 
Mr.  Montgomery  to  be  burned,  as,  lie  said,  it  had 
been  the  head-quarters  of  the  rebels.  Yet,  without 
even  that*  excuse,  the  property  of  Mr.  Mackenzie, 
in  the  city,  and  the  house,  barn,  and  out-houses  of 
Mr.  Gibson, followed,  and  his  horses,  cattle,  and  grain, 
taken  by  the  loyal  volunteers.  After  doing  these 
shameful  acts,  and  with  what  prisoners  had  been 
taken,  the  triumphant  victors  returned  to  Toronto. 
The  succeeding  day,  the  party  that  liad  been  sent  to 
scour  the  country,  returned  with  a  number  of  pri- 


i 


M 


I 


94 


i''!  « 


sonors,  among  wliom  was  Col.  Van  Egmond.  Tlicy 
were  tlirowii  into  dungeons,  where  starvation  and 
the  dampness  of  the  cells  where  ihey  were  confined, 
brought  on  disease  of  which  many  died,  and  among 
others,  the  colonel  fell  among  the  first  victims,  and 
with  strong  suspicion,  on  the  public  mind,  that  poi- 
son had  been  resorted  to. 

A  proclamation  was  then  issued  by  the  governor, 
oft'ering  large  rewards  for  the  leaders,  but  pardon  to 
all  the  rest,  on  the  groimds,  that  they  were  duped 
"  by  those  evil  and  designing  men,"  and  on  condi- 
tion that  they  would  immediately  return  to  their 
homes,  surrender  the  arms  which  they  had  concealed 
in  their  houses,  go  before  the  nearest  magistrate,  and 
take  the  oath  of  allegiance  anew,  and  live  peaceably 
and  quietly,  and  not  further  disturb  her  majesty,  nor 
molest  her  quiet,  loyal,  and  unoffending  subjects. 

The  city  was  then  garrisoned,  and  the  loyalist 
militia  quartered  in  every  disaffected  district.  The 
families  of  those  engaged  in  the  insurrection  were 
treated  with  the  most  brutal  ferocity,  by  the  very 
vilest  of  a  population  whose  only  merit  was  a  pre- 
tended loyalty  and  devotion  to  the  will  of  the  ex- 
ecutive, or  a  small,  petty  faction  of  Orangemen,  who 
then  cxeic  ed,  as  their  compeers  in  Ireland,  the 
most  disgraceful  party  proscription.  Their  lawless 
conduct,  their  destruction  of  property,  the  treatment 
of  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  farmers  around, 
for  which  no  redress  could  be  given,  excited  in  the 
minds  of  the  great  mass  of  the  population,  who  be- 
fore were  rather  esteemed  loyal,  the  most  unrelent- 
ing hate  to  British  law  and  British  rule. 

Those  of  the  defeated  reformers  who  attempted 
to  join  the  force  rumoured  to  have  taken  up  arms  in 
the  London  District,  were,  on  arrival  there,  sadly 
disappointed.  They  had  come  too  late.  They  had 
been,  by  order  of  their  chosen  leader,  disbanded,  and 
no  resort  but  further  flight  was  left  for  the  gallant 
hearts  that  thus  far  had  come  hi  liopes  of  being  able 


95 


to  yet  do  something  in  liberating  their  country. 
Much  blame  was  and  is  still  attached  to  Dr.  Dun- 
combe,  who  was  the  leader  chosen  lor  that  district : 
but,  like  other  instances,  from  what  we  can  learn,  he 
was  not  so  much  to  blame.  It  seems,  that  owing  to 
the  excessively  bad  state  of  the  roads,  occasioned  by 
the  heavy  rains  that  had  fallen,  and  partial  frosts, 
that  no  news  was  received  from  Toronto;  no  mails 
had  arrived.  Tiie  roads  were  impassable  :  nor  for 
five  or  six  days  after  the  defeat  at  Montgomery's,  did 
there  arrive  any  news  even  of  the  outbreak.  As 
soon,  however,  as  the  matter  was  known  at  Lon- 
don, Duncombe  called  together  the  reformers  of 
Norwich  and  Barford,  and  all  assembled  at  0;ikland, 
about  foiuteen  miles  west  of  Brantford,  and  next 
day  he  was  joined  by  two  detachments  of  men  from 
Yarmouth  and  Bayham,  two  townships  about  sixty 
miles  west  of  Oakland.  One  of  the  detachments 
was  under  the  command  of  Robt.  Anderson  and  Josh. 
G.  Doan,  who  were  afterwards  with  me,  and  one  of 
whom  fell  in  the  action  in  which  we  were  engaged, 
the  other  subsequently  on  the  scaffold.  The  other  de- 
tachment was  under  the  command  of  Henry  Fisher, 
now  a  refugee  in  Detroit.  Thus  strengthened,  they 
encamped  on  a  piece  of  ground  well  adapted  for 
their  purpose,  and  began  preparations  to  make  a 
favourable  demonstration  in  that  district.  News 
however  came,  about  the  middle  of  December,  of 
Mackenzie's  defeat,  and  the  advance  of  MacNab 
with  four  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  three  pieces 
of  artillery,  coming  upon  them  on  one  side  from 
tlie  east,  and  Askins  and  Bostwick  from  London 
with  two  hundred  and  fifty;  while  another  detach- 
ment, with  one  hundred  and  fifty  more,  was  ad- 
vancing by  another  route  from  Simcoe.  Thus  hem- 
med in,  instead  of  advancing  boldly  on  one  or  other 
of  the  different  parties  before  they  could  form  a  junc- 
tion, time  was  taken  in  calling  a  council,  and  when  the 
news  of  the  total  defeat  at  Montgomery's  had  been 


(I 


i: 


1        i|t 


.tP 


90 

known ;  it  was  agreed,  that  as  they  were  badly 
armed,  it  would  be  better  for  them  to  disperse,  "  as 
they  were  not  prepared  to  meet  such  a  combined 
force:"  they  unfortunately  did  sb.  The  poor  farmers 
among  the  reformers  were  obliged  to  leave  their 
property  to  be  pillaged  and  burnt  by  the  loyalists, 
whom  their  oflicers  permitted  to  exercise  themselves 
in  their  accustomed  avocation.  With  heavy  hearts, 
many  of  them  had  to  fly  to  l^Iichigan ;  while  those 
that  remained  at  their  homes  were  made  prisoners, 
and  sent  to  the  jails  of  London^  Hamilton,  and  Sim- 
coe,  to  learn  there  a  lesson  for  their  folly — in  quietly 
dispersing. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

BufTulo — Navy  Island — Destruction  of  the  Caroline. 

While  these  exciting  scenes  were  being  enacted 
in  Canada,  the  population  of  the  frontier  states  of  the 
United  States  were  not  silent  and  listless  spectators. 
Every  day  the  papers  teemed  with  the  intelligence, 
and  were  filled  by  the  wishes  and  prayers  of  a  peo- 
ple, descendants  of  those  who,  in  the  revolution  of 
*76,  had  like  them  struggled  and  sulTered.  Meetings 
were  called,  and  resolutions  offered,  couched  in 
manly  language,  dignity,  and  force,  expressive  of 
their  sympathy,  and  of  their  hopes  for  the  success 
of  another  "American  experiment"  of  self-govern- 
ment. To  the  frontier  towns  of  the  western  part  of 
the  state  of  New  York  is  to  be  conceded  the  palm 
in  the  early  encouragement  held  out  to  the  Cana- 
dians. In  Buffalo,  Niagara,  Lewistown,  Oswego, 
Ogdensburg,  and  other  places,  at  the  first  news  of 
the  revolution,  meetings  were  held,  pledging  them- 


97 


selves  to  aid  and  assist  tlio  Canadinns  in  every  legal 
and  constitutional  manner,  not  inconsistent  with  our 
situation  as  a  government,  nor  their  duties  as  its  citi- 
zens ;  and  when  day  l)y  day  was  brouglit  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  progress  ot'the  reheUion,  which  rumour 
said  had  been  successful  at  Toronto, — and  then  of 
the  disaster  and  defeat, — they  were  not  less  warm 
in  the  cause,  nor  less  strenuous  in  its  support.  On 
the  contrary,  when  the  power  of  the  government  had 
crushed  the  premature  attempt,  their  generous  en- 
thusiasm, springing  from  an  innate  love  of  liberty, 
niade  them  more  active,  and  showed  them  more 
sincere  and  disinterested.  Wiiilc  report  had  given 
success  to  the  patriots,  their  good  feelings  were  only 
shown  in  resolutions  and  offers  of  what  aid  could  be 
constitutionally  given  ;  but  when  the  cause  became 
apparently  different — when  revolution  became  re- 
bellion, and  patriotism  treason, — when  disaster  and 
defeat  liad  disgraced  and  dishonoured  their  eflbrt, 
and  the  price  of  blood  was  placed  upon  tiie  head  of 
its  discomfited  leaders, — when  ihey  came  to  their 
shores  as  outcasts;  then  was  their  sympathy  shown, 
even  to  enthusiasm.  They  were  received  with  joy, 
with  honour,  among  a  nation  of  friends,  whose 
fathers  like  them  had  struggled,  but  with  more 
success. 

At  such  a  time,  and  with  such  a  feeling  among 
our  population,  Mackenzie  arrived  in  Buffalo.  Need 
it  be  wondered  at  that  he  was  received  with  open 
arms  ?  An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  friends  of  Ca- 
nada was  called  at  the  theatre  on  that  night;  a  guard 
of  the  young  and  most  respectable  citizens  volun- 
teered and  were  detailed  to  guard  the  hotel  where 
he  stopped,  lest  some  prowling  tory  or  British  spy 
should,  for  the  reward  ofiered  for  his  head,  kidnap 
or  assassinate  him.  And  on  the  morrow,  when  he 
related  his  country's  wrongs,  and  the  desire  of  the 
people  for  independence ;  of  their  defeat,  and  its 
consequence,  can  it  be  thought  wonderful  that  those 

9 


1 


e 


'i 


M 


M 


:| 


•11. 


98 

who  sympatliizod  witli  Greece  and  Poland,  and 
aided  Texas,  should  oiler  a  Hke  aid  to  those  who 
were  but  divided  from  tliem  by  tlie  breadth  of  the 
JNiagara  river  ? 

A  corps  of  volunteers  for  the  invasion  of  Canada 
was  immediately  resolved  upon,  and  numbers  has- 
tened to  enrol  their  names.  The  Eagle  tavern  of 
that  city  was  made  their  liead  quarters,  from  the 
:''oof  of  which  floated  the  banner  of  Canada,  the  tri- 
coloured  flag,  with  the  twin  stars  of  liberty.  Pre- 
sents of  arms,  clothing,  provisions,  and  munitions  of 
war  were  brought  to  the  depot  in  immense  quanti- 
ties. The  ofllcers  of  the  general  government  in  vain 
sought  to  repress  the  spirit  that  prevailed ;  for,  in 
our  free  country,  when  an  overwhelming  majority 
of  the  community  were  enthusiastic  cspo users  and 
supporters  of  a  cause  so  strongly  endeared  to  the 
people,  it  was  in  vain  to  attempt  to  enforce  the  cold, 
calculating  laws  of  neutrality — laws  which  had  be- 
come obsolete  on  the  statute-book.  Numbers  of  the 
most  respectable  and  popular  citizens  went  out  into 
the  country  places,  and  besought  arms,  and  money, 
and  provisions,  for  tlie  contemplated  "  deer  hunts,",^ 
and  exploring  expeditions,  which  had  now  become 
the  rage. 

Mackenzie,  and  the  Canadian  refugees,  from  the 
feeling  which  they  saw  manifested,  thought,  with 
truth,  that  an  invasion  from  the  United  States  would 
not  be  allowed ;  yet,  could  they  raise  their  country's 
banner  on  Canadian  soil,  where  they  could  regu- 
larly enrol,  and  discipline  the  volunteers  that  might 
come  to  them,  of  the  ardent  in  the  cause,  that  some- 
thing yet  might  be  done  for  their  country's  liberty  ; 
he,  with  only  twenty-five  others,  embarked  in  a 
small  boat,  and  took  possession  of  Navy  Island, 
situated  in  the  Niagara  river,  and  immediately  above 
the  cataract.  This  island  was  known  to  belong  to, 
and  had  always  been  held  by.  Great  Bj'itain,  as  part 
of  her  dependencies.     It  was  an  island  well  adapted 


99 


for  their  purpose,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  lone:,  and 
about  a  mile  iu  breadth  ;  well  wooded,  sheltered, 
and  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Canadian  shore.  A 
better  or  more  inaccessible  spot,  as  well  from  the 
strength  of  the  dangerous  current,  as  its  proximity 
to  the  main  land,  could  not  be  chosen. 

Here  they  were  soon  joined  by  volunteers,  as 
well  as  by  persons  bringing  the  munitions  of  war, 
provision,  and  clothing,  that  had  been  collected  at 
the  depot.  A  provisional  government  was  esta- 
blished— a  military  commander  was  appointed — 
Kensellaer  Van  Rensellaer,  of  Albany,  who  busied 
himself  in  putting  the  island  in  a  state  of  defence,  in 
mounting  batteries  with  the  cannon  that  had  been 
scut  there,  in  disciplining  the  volunteers,  and  in 
holding  correspondence  with  the  friends  of  human 
liberty  throughout  the  whole  Union.  A  proclama- 
tion was  issued,  offering  inducements  for  many  to 
enrol  themselves  in  their  ranks,  by  the  proffer  of  the 
wild  government  lands,  which  was  signed  by  Mac- 
kenzie, as  chairman  pro  tern,  of  the  provisional  go- 
vernment. An  issue  of  paper  money  was  made, 
payable  from  the  resources  of  the  new  government, 
whenever  it  should  be  established;  which  passed 
current,  and  was  readily  received  in  payment  by 
those  who  had  any  thing  to  sell  that  was  required, 
either  in  the  line  of  ammunition,  or  provisions  for 
the  daily  augmenting  force  on  the  island. 

When  the  news  of  the  selection  of  this  bold  posi- 
tion, with  the  increasing  numbers  that  hourly  flocked 
to  the  patriots,  reached  Toronto,  it  produced  the 
greatest  sensation  of  alarm  among  that  party  which 
had  flattered  themselves  that  the  Canadians  were 
totally  crushed.  At  the  same  time,  it  held  out  hopes 
to  the  down-trodden  and  oppressed,  that  yet  there 
might  be  a  chance  of  something  being  done  for 
them ;  which  they  resolved,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives, 
to  second  and  support.  MPiuy,  inspirited  with  this 
hope,  at  the  most  immineni  risk,  left  their  homes, 


'! 


<h' 


t 


>  I 


.1 


i' 


and  crossed  tlie  lake,  at  tliat  inclement  season  o(  tlie 
year,  in  open  boats,  and  joined  their  countrytnen. 
The  governor,  alarmed  at  tlii.s  new  eilort,  ordered 
Colonel  MacNab,  who  had  niarehed  against  Dr. 
Duncombe  into  the  London  district,  to  return,  and 
take  up  a  position  at  Chippewa,  opposite  the  island, 
to  prevent  the  landing,  and  watch  the  movements 
of  the  islanders.  His  force,  likewise  augmented  by 
reinforcements  from  the  loyal  volunteers,  erected 
batteries,  and  returned  a  regular  intcreliange  of 
shots  with  their  opponents,  from  their  respective 
places,  but  without  materially  afl'ecting  each  other ; 
only  serving  to  keep  the  attention  of  the  people 
fixed  to  that  point,  and  accustoming  the  recruits  to 
the  use  and  noise  of  artillery.  After  a  few  days  of 
this  ineffectual  cannonading,  and  while  both  parties 
were  making  preparations  to  land  on  their  antago- 
nistic shores,  an  event  took  place,  which  roused  the 
whole  population  of  the  United  States,  and  well 
nigh  created  a  general  invasion  of  the  Avhole  British 
territory.  This  was  an  insult  the  most  reckless, 
cowardly,  and  unwarranted,  that  ever  was  offered 
to  a  sovereign  people. 

The  steamboat  "  CAROLINE,"  the  property  of 
a  citizen  of  Buffalo,  regularly  entered  and  registered 
as  such,  and  commanded  by  Capt.  Gillian  Appleby, 
an  American  citizen,  had  availed  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  which  the  vast  concourse  of  citizens 
from  a  distance,  attracted  by  the  rumours  of  the  oc- 
cupation of  the  island  by  the  patriots,  and  wishing 
to  see  how  they  were,  hastened  to  fit  up  this  boat 
as  a  ferry  boat  to  ply  between  Buff'alo,  Black  Rock, 
Schlosser,  and  Navy  Island,  for  which  they  charged 
each  passenger  twenty-five  cents.  She  had  been 
running  some  days,  manifestly  to  the  profit  of  the 
owners,  and  had  carried  provisions  and  other  mat- 
ters to  the  island,  for  which  freight  she  was  paid  as 
customary.  On  the  29th  of  December,  while  the 
American  flag  was  flying  at  mast  liead,  she  was  fired 


101 


lishing 

boat 
I  Rock, 
largcd 

been 
)f  the 

iiiat- 

lid  as 

le  the 

fired 


at  in  repeated  volleys  of  musketry,  but  without 
clicct,  from  the  IJritish  sliore,  which  she  was  passing. 
Siu'  made  her  trip,  returned,  and  that  evening  wsis 
moored  at  the  wharf  at  Sehlosser,  and  made  fast  with 
a  chain  in  the  usual  manner.  Report  that  day  had 
become  current,  that  during  the  night  or  early  in  the 
morning,  Col.  MacNab  had  intended  to  attack  the 
island.  A  number  of  citizens,  attracted  by  wlilch, 
iiad  the  curiosity  to  see  the  affair  at  a  distance,  who 
l)robably  could  not  be  induced  to  approach  near, 
nor  take  part  in  such  a  matter.  Unable  to  procure 
beds  at  the  only  house  at  Sehlosser,  a  number  of  them 
came  on  board  the  boat,  twenty-three  in  all,  and,  as 
they  were  acquainted  with  Capt.Applehy,  requested 
permission  to  remain  on  board,  for  shelter  for  the 
night.  The  captain  acceded  to  their  request,  and  fur- 
nished mattresses  for  them  to  sleep  upon,  on  the  floor 
of  the  cabin.  About  one  o'clock,  and  wliile  all  were 
asleep,  feeling  no  apprehensions,  with  their  country's 
flag  waving  over  them,  these  sleepers  were  awakened 
by  an  alarm  given  by  the  individual  whose  duty  it 
was  to  watch — as  is  customary  on  board  a  steam- 
boat while  lying  at  any  wharf — that  a  number  of 
boats  loaded  with  armed  men  were  making  towards 
them.  Before  Capt.  Appleby  could  reach  the  deck, 
it  was  in  possession  of  about  fifty  men,  part  of  the 
British  force  stationed  at  Chippewa,  who  commenced 
an  indiscriminate  slaughter  on  its  undressed,  unpre- 
pared, and  unarmed  occupants  and  crew.  Under 
the  fierce  cry  of  their  commander.  Drew,  a  retired 
ofticer  in  the  British  navy,  of  "G— d  damn  them — 
give  no  quarter — kill  them  every  one — fire ;"  as 
might  be  anticipated,  the  persons  on  board  were  soon 
overpowered.  Six  of  their  number,  by  the  British 
account,  were  killed,  and  several  wounded,  who  with 
others  were  driven  on  shore.  The  American  ac- 
count, founded  on  the  testimony  of  Capt.  Appleby, 
Charles  F.  Harding,  James  H.  King,  Joshua  II.  Smith, 
William  Seaman^  Wm.  Kennedy,  William  Wells, 

9* 


li 


5J« 


In 


:!l  :  f 


-1*1 


■1 

y 


1 


102 

John  Leonard,  Sylvaniis  Stainos,  and  Jolm  Ilaggcr- 
ty,  and  others  of  the  survivors,  make  it  more.  Of 
the  ihirty-tlwco,  the  nuinhcr  of  crew  and  passengers 
on  hoard,  twciity-onc  were  found,  and  the  other 
twelve  were  killed  and  missing,  and  never  since 
have  heen  heard  of.  One  gentleman  of  Butl'alo, 
Amos  Durfee,  was  found  dead  on  the  wharf  the 
next  day,  lying  on  his  face,  a  musket  ball  having 
penetrated  tlie  back  part  of  liis  head,  and  passed 
out  by  his  forehead.  From  the  situation  of  tlio 
wound,  his  death  was  uistantaneous,  and  must  have 
been  received  from  the  volley  which  was  fired  after 
the  persons  had  escaped  and  gained  the  shore. 

The  ill-fated  vessel,  with  the  bodies  of  the  mur- 
dered and  missing,  was  then  towed  into  the  stream, 
and  set  on  fire.  The  blnzc  of  the  burning  timbers 
apprized  the  occupants  of  Navy  Island  of  the  deed  : 
the  thrilling  cry  of  the  living  souls  on  board,  with 
the  wails  of  the  dying,  as  the  burning  vessel  glided 
down  the  resistless  rapids,  with  the  thunder  of  the 
tremendous  cataract,  more  awfully  distinct  in  the 
still  midnight  hour,  horrified  the  mind  of  every  spec- 
tator, as  they  watched  their  fellow-beings  hopelessly 
perishing  before  their  eyes,  by  the  double  horrors  of 
a  fate  inevitable,  that  no  effort  of  theirs  could  avert. 
They  watched  with  agonized  attention  the  flaming 
mass,  until  it  was  hurried  over  the  falls,  to  be  crushed 
in  the  everlasting  darkness  of  the  unfathomed  tomb 
of  the  waters  below. 

The  exasperation  in  the  public  mind,  when  this 
most  horrible  affair  was  communicated,  was  indeed 
excessive  in  the  extreme.  All  classes  of  our  citizens 
became  maddened  at  the  daring,  murderous,  and 
aggravating  circumstances  connected  with  the  whole 
affair.  The  local  authorities  of  a  sovereign  state, 
that  had  been  invaded,  immediately  organized  a 
large  force  of  the  state  militia,  and  marched  them  to 
the  frontier.  Gov.  Marcy,  of  New  York,  called  the 
attention  of  the  state  legislature,  in  a  special  mes- 


lOJ 


sage,  to  tlio  ovcMit  that,  in  ;i  harbour  of  that  state,  a 
vr'ssi'l  owned  hy  a  eitizen  of  the  state,  and  having  on 
board  lliirty-tliree  persons,  "were  suddenly  atta<'ktd 
after  nlidni^ht,  when  tliey  had  retired  to  repose, 
and  probably  thai  more  tlian  one-third  of  tlieni  were 
M'anlonly  massacred,"  and  that  the  twelve  persons 
missing  were  in  all  probability  "either  killed  by  the 
invaders,  or  perished  in  the  descent  of  the  boat 
over  the  cataract."  The  message  further  asserted 
that  this  ^^  ouiragc*^  was  not  marked  by  any  act 
done,  or  duty  neglected,  by  the  government  of  that 
state,  or  the  Union,  and  while  it  left  the  charge  of 
redressing  the  wrongs,  and  sustaining  the  honour  of 
the  country  to  the  general  government,  the  governor 
reconmiended  the  legislature  to  make  provision  for 
a  military  force  adequate  for  the  protection  of  the 
citizens  and  the  maintenance  of  peace  upon  the  ex- 
posed frontier. 

The  president  of  the  United  States,  as  soon  as  the 
intelligence  reached,  Wasliington,  followed  up  the 
matter  l/ie?i  with  a  corresponding  vigour.  On  the 
fifth  of  January,  the  secretary  of  war  directed  Gen. 
Scott  to  proceed  forthwith  to  the  frontier,  and  con- 
fided extensive  descretionary  powers  for  its  protec- 
tion and  the  preservation  of  peace.  On  the  same 
day,  the  secretary  called  the  attention  of  the  British 
minister,  at  Washington,  to  the  "extraordinary  out- 
rage;" spoke  of  the  insult  to  the  country's  flag,  and 
of  the  loss  of  life  occasioned  by  it,  as  "  the  assassi- 
nation of  citizens  of  the  United  States  on  the  soil  of 
New  York;"  but,  alas,  for  the  honour  of  our  country, 
nothing  further  has  been  done,  tlian  a  procrastinated 
diplomacy  between  our  country  and  England,  which 
has  been  eked  out  to  such  a  length  that  we  now 
fear  there  are  no  grounds  to  hope  for  justice.  Did 
not  this  act  of  offensive,  unprovoked  war,  at  one 
single  blow  nullify  and  extinguish  forever  all  treaties 
and  treaty  obligations  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States  ?     Did  not  this  dastardly  act  of 


I* 
i 


I 


;-' 


I! 


M 


f 


I 


104 

murder,  since  acknowledged  by  England,  place  the 
two  nations  in  the  attitude  of  belligerent  powers ; 
dissolve  all  laws,  treaties,  and  obligations,  on  our 
part,  and  not  only  justify  but  imperiously  demand 
immediate  and  sure  vengeance  on  the  aggressors 
who  polluted  our  soil?  We  unhesitating!/  assert, 
that  even  in.  the  dreamy  books  of  international  law 
we  would  be  borne  out  in  what  we  say;  but  although 
the  general  government  acted  with  such  moderation, 
the  people  were  not  actuated  with  the  same  feelings; 
they  have  since  shown  a  disposition  to  wash  out  the 
insult  and  avenge  the  murder  of  their  fellow-ci- 
tizens 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Flight  of  the  Canadian  Refugees  to  Michigan,  Detroit,  and  our  inter- 

fcrence,  &c.  dec. 

About  this  period  the  public  mind  in  Detroit  was 
kept  in  a  constant  ferment  at  the  news  daily  arriv- 
ing from  the  lower  province.  The  disasters  at  St. 
Charles  and  St.  Eustache,  the  defeat  at  Montgo- 
mery's, and  the  arrival  of  many  refugees,  who  were 
daily  flying  to  our  shores,  after  the  disbanding  of 
Buncombe's  detachment  in  the  London  district;  and 
their  heart-stirring  narratives  of  the  oppression  they 
had  endured,  and  the  wrongs  they  had  suffered,  fed 
the  flame  of  excitement,  and  enlisted  enthusiasm  and 
sympathy  in  behalf  of  Canadian  freedom.  Naked 
and  hungry,  those  refugees,  many  of  them  with  help- 
less families,  rudely  cast  out  from  their  homesteads, 
sought  a  temporary  asylum  in  the  neighbouring 
states;  many  of  them,  hunted  like  wild  beasts  of  the 
forest,  compelled  to  leave  their  wives,  and  children, 


105" 


of 


and  property,  to  the  cruelty,  and  lust,  and  avarice  of 
an  embruted  soldiery,  and  glad  to  escape  hither  with 
life.  The  eloquence  of  nature  spoke  irresistibly  to 
every  ear  that  was  open  to  the  glowing  story  of  tlieir 
wrongs.  Public  meetings  were  spontaneously  con- 
vened, and  funds  raised,  by  the  general  contribution 
of  the  citizens  of  Detroit,  to  sustain  the  fugitive 
stranger.  They  were  fed,  and  clothed,  and  "  minis- 
tered unto."  Compassion  begat  a  kindred  feeling. 
Their  condition,  and  the  causes  which  led  them  to 
encounter  the  perils  of  rebellion,  was  historically  com- 
pared with  the  motives  that  impelled  the  heroes,  and 
produced  the  sufferings  of  seventy-six.  Argument 
the  most  plausible,  and  impulse  the  most  honourable, 
was  not  lacking,  to  make  that  virtue,  in  1837,  which 
certainly  was  not  criminal  in  1776.  Neither  the 
lapse  of  time,  or  the  variable  condition  of  man,  can 
change  the  moral  hue  of  human  action.  If  Wash- 
ington could  not  be  branded  with  treason  to  his  king, 
nor  Lafayette,  and  Kosciusko,  and  Pulaski,  and  Steu- 
ben, be  justly  condemned  by  faithful  history,  why, 
it  was  urged,  should  the  Canadian  aspirant  for  the 
independence  of  his  country,  or  the  American  who 
espoused  the  cause,  be  stigmatized  as  a  traitor,  or 
the  other  be  considered  as  criminal  ?  Such  burning 
thoughts  as  these  filled  and  swelled  the  bosoms  of 
hundreds — were  uttered  at  every  gathering — and 
spread  like  a  contagion  from  house  to  house,  and 
from  the  capitol  to  the  remotest  hamlet  in  the  state. 
Who  that  then  lived  in  Detroit  can  forget  the  deep 
interest  that  was  hourly  experienced  by  the  arrival 
of  some  Canadian  stranger,  driven  and  pursued  from 
his  home ;  and  the  respectful  attention  given,  by 
crowds  of  the  most  intelligent  citizens,  to  the  thril- 
ling details  of  his  escape  from  the  Indian  and  Negro 
volunteers  in  the  royal  service,  or  from  the  more 
brutal  Orangemen.  Who  can  forget  the  appeal  made 
to  American  freemen,  by  the  poor  refugee,  driven 
from  his  home,  his  family,  and  his  country,  and  dog- 


I 


:i 


V' 


i 


HP  *l 


I 


m. 


m 


'■  I*  > 


^i!; 


.If:- 


106 

getl  and  chased  through  the  woods  of  Canada,  in  the 
bleak  niontli  of  December,  threatened  at  every  step 
by  the  ambush  of  the  hired  savage,  whose  natural 
appetite  for  the  wliite  man's  blood,  was  whetted  and 
stimulated  by  the  pecuniary  reward  offered  for  the 
scalp  of  the  patriot  ?  Who  could  hsten  to  the  tale  of 
wo,  told  by  one  who  had  witnessed  the  burning  and 
pillage  of  his  own  home,  and  not  feel  ?  Who  could 
hear  the  aged  father's  story  of  a  daughter's  violation, 
by  the  vile  runaway  negro  slave  of  the  south,  in 
government  service — the  murder  of  his  brave  sons, 
while  protecting  their  sister — and  his  own  desperate 
efforts  to  defend  his  little  grandchildren  from  being 
consumed  in  the  scorching  ruins  of  their  own  once 
happy  home — who  could  hear  these  thrilling  facts 
related,  and  not  feel  ?  Yet  such  facts  were  presented 
in  an  unquestioned  and  authentic  form,  to  several 
meetings  of  the  citizens  of  Detroit,  by  venerable  and 
respectable  Canadians,  whose  manner  and  appear- 
ance, confirmed  by  a  previous  knowledge  T)f  charac- 
ter, stamped  their  narrative  with  all  the  indicia  of 
truth. 

Superadded  to  this  all-sufficient  cause  of  excite- 
ment, was  the  constant  intercourse  kept  up  daily 
between  the  inhabitants  of  Windsor,  Sandwich,  and 
the  Canadian  settlements  on  the  river,  and  the  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  resident  in  Michigan. 
Threats  to  pursue  the  refugees,  even  to  the  United 
States,  and  force  them  back  to  glut  the  vengeance 
of  their  enemies,  were  reported  to  have  been  made 
by  the  subjects  of  the  throne ;  and  in  case  of  a  refu- 
sal to  surrender  such  as  were  demanded  to  British 
justice,  to  lay  Detroit  in  ashes  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  black  troops  in  British  pay.  It  is 
easy  to  irritate,  but  difficult  to  soothe.  Besides,  the 
American  people  are,  very  naturally,  ardent  in  the 
cause  of  human  liberty.  During  the  first  stages  of 
the.  French  revolution,  when  that  gallant  people, 
under  the  guidance  of  La  Fayette,  manifested  the 


: 


a   I; 


107 


a,  in  the 

3ry  step 

natural 

tted  and 

for  the 
;  tale  of 
ling  and 
0  could 
iolation, 
Quth,  in 
ve  sons, 
csperate 
n  being 
vn  once 
ng  facts 
resented 

several 

ible  and 

appear- 

■  charac- 

[dicia  of 

excite- 
3  daily 
ch,  and 
he  citi- 
ichigan. 
United 
igeance 
n  made 
a  refu- 
British 
instru- 
It  is 
les,  the 
in  the 
Lges  of 
)cople, 
[ed  the 


spirit  to  be  free,  and  to  establish  a  representative 
government  and  a  sovereignty  emanating  from 
themselves,  but  one  prayer  was  breathed  forth  by 
Americans,  and  that  was,  that  the  people  might 
triumph  over  hereditary  imbecility  and  legislative 
])ollution.  In  that  case,  the  theatre  of  action  was 
some  thousand  miles  across  the  ocean ;  and  the 
justice  of  the  cause  could  only  be  judged  by  a 
sjxjcies  of  secondary  evidence,  dependent  upon  the 
fidelity  of  the  narrative  conveyed  in  newspaper 
accounts.  Far  ditferent  in  the  instance  now  the 
subject  of  comment :  the  scene  was  in  the  vicinage ; 
tlie  drama  enacted  under  personal  observation  ;  the 
war  cry  could  be  heard,  and  the  lash  of  oppression 
witnessed  from  the  American  soil.  Although  it 
seems  by  late  judicial  construction,  that  the  spirit  of 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States  impe- 
riously forbid  the  propagation  of  civil  liberty, — as  if 
it  were  morally  wrong  to  emulate  the  virtuous  ex- 
amples that  gem  most  brilliantly  in  the  history  of 
the  Revolution, — yet,  nevertheless,  the  spirit  of  the 
people  most  obstinately  runs  counter,  in  that  respect, 
to  the  constitution  and  laws  as  understood  by  the 
ermine.  With  but  few  exceptions,  but  one  feeling 
animated  the  inhabitantr?  of  the  north-western  fron- 
tier: all  parties  desired  Canadian  liberty;  all  wished 
well  to  the  cause ;  many  were  disposed  to  go  farther 
than  wishes,  and  many  did  so. 

It  is  not  wonderful,  considering  the  period,  the 
place,  the  national  characteristics  and  reminiscences, 
and  the  complexion  given  to  the  cause  of  Canada, 
that  among  the  young  and  enthusiastic  of  the  popu- 
lation of  Michigan,  many  were  found  willing  and 
anxious  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  provisional 
g<  Tument  of  Upper  Canada,  then  temporarily  es- 
tablished at  Navy  Island.  This  government  had 
published  the  Declaration  of  Rights,  and  made  its 
appeal  to  the  reason  of  civilized  nations.  The  causes 
of  separation  from  British  rule ;  the  oppression  en- 


if 


108 


«  ,..;; 


I  '!f 


/"'.!•  I* 


i 


dured  by  the  mass  of  the  people,  kept  down  by 
foreign  bayonets ;  the  denial  of  justice ;  and  the 
tyrannical  government  of  so  fine  a  country  as  the 
Canadas,  teeming  with  such  a  hardy  and  enterpris- 
ing a  population,  by  palace  pets,  deputed  by  distant 
royalty  to  give  and  to  execute  law;  were  glowingly 
set  forth  in  a  state  paper,  not  surpassed  in  spirit  and 
in  truth  by  the  American  Declaration  of  1776.  This 
paper  most  eloquently  addressed  our  feelings  as 
Americans,  and  called  upon  us  to  aid  an  injured  and 
an  oppressed  people  to  burst  the  iron  bonds  of  Eng- 
lish despotism.  Besides,  the  assurance  was  given, 
that,  on  planting  the  banner  of  liberty  in  Canada, 
and  making  a  stand  there,  that  the  whole  population 
would  rise  "en  masse;"  and  that  all  the  people 
wanted  to  enable  them  to  conquer  the  foreign  hire- 
lings, then  possessing  the  country,  and  trampling  on 
right  and  justice,  was  arms  and  ammunition — the 
munitions  and  the  means  of  warfare. 

I  had  long  resided  in  Lower  Canada.  I  was  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  French  population,  spoke 
their  language,  and  understood  their  customs.  Hav- 
ing practised  for  years  my  profession  among  that 
warm-hearted  class  of  people,  and  gained  for  myself 
their  unlimited  confidence  and  esteem,  I  well  knew 
that  at  least  fifteen-sixteenths  of  the  population  of  the 
lower  province  were  ardent  in  their  desires  for  a 
separate  government  from  England,  based  upon 
principles  of  civil  and  political  equality,  and  that,  in 
order  to  obtain  the  object,  they  would  fearlessly 
encounter  every,  peril,  and  submit  to  every  priva- 
tion. An  association  of  years  had  afforded  me  a 
clear  insight  into  the  prominent  characteristics  of  the 
Canadian  peasantry  or  habitans,  and  I  knew  them 
to  possess  in  an  eminent  degree  those  physical  and 
moral  qualities  so  essential  in  a  good  soldier.  The 
mutations  of  a  century  had  measurably  changed  the 
face  of  the  country :  English  laws,  and  English  offi- 
cials, and  English  mercantile  emigration,  had,  to  a 


own  by 
and  the 
y  as  the 
ntcrpris- 
y  distant 
lowingly 
pirit  and 
76.  This 
;Ungs  as 
ured  and 
;  of  Eng- 
is  given, 
Canada, 
ipulation 
e  people 
Agn  hire- 
npling  on 
tion — the 


109 

certain  extent,  illustrated  the  saying  of  the  Latin 
poet : 

"  Tempora  mutantur,  et  nos  mutamur  in  illis." 

But,  nevertheless,  the  British  rule  in  the  lower 
province  had  elfccted  but  little  in  subjugating  the 
spirit  of  the  peasantry.  They  had  lost  nothing  of 
the  chivalry  of  their  ancestors.  Brave,  enterprising, 
hardy,  patient,  subordinate  by  nature  and  education, 
capable  of  enduring  the  rigours  of  the  climate,  and 
subsisting  upon  the  most  scanty  allowance  of  food; 
devoted  to  the  religion,  the  laws,  language,  and  cus- 
toms of  their  mother  country;  easily  disciplined  to 
military  life,  ever  evincing  an  eagerness  for  military 
fame,  proud  of  the  glory  of  Frenchmen,  and  imbued 
from  infancy  with  an  instinctive  hatred  of  their 
rulers  and  their  mode  of  government ;  they  wanted 
but  skilful  leaders,  speaking  their  own  language, 
and  the  necessary  apparatus  of  war,  to  constitute 
them,  in  the  then  existing  condition  of  the  country, 
an  invincible  army.  A  colony  of  these  men  had 
been  established  along  the  southern  banks  of  the  river 
Detroit  and  lake  St.  Clair,  up  to  the  river  Thames ; 
and  as  they  had  almost  daily  intercourse  with  De- 
troit, they  could  not  avoid  contrasting  the  prosperity 
of  the  American  side  with  the  condition  of  their  own 
country,  and  marking  the  superior  civil  and  political 
advantages  enjoyed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  states. 
These  considerations,  added  to  their  native  antipa- 
thies, rendered  them  the  most  ardent  (although  from 
necessity  the  secret)  friends  of  Canadian  independ- 
ence ;  and  they  longed  to  participate  in  aiding  their 
suffering  brethren  of  the  lower  province.  My  pro- 
fessional pursuits  leading  me  at  this  period  frequently 
among  them,  and  having  the  confidence  of  their 
principal  families,  I  was  not  long  in  ignorance  that 
the  desire  was  generally  entertained  to  raise  the 
standard  in  the  western  district,  and  make  a  diver- 
sion in  favour  of  the  friends  of  the  cause,  by  attracting 

10 


I 


\l 


If 


;   j 


IV 


■r 


W 


I: 


k      - 

';     '! 

1     '1 

*  I 

«;•   ; 

$  ' 

j;^    . 

M    1 

{'-pi     J 

W     :< 

1  1' 

110 

cattention  to  this  quarter.  At  the  earnest  solicitation 
of  many  of  the  French  Canadians,  and  the  requests 
of  the  provisional  governments  of  both  Upper  and 
Lower  Canada,  and  in  the  redemption  of  my  pledge 
to  my  old  neighbours  near  Montreal,  I  accepted  the 
commission  of  Brigadier  General  in  the  Canadian 
revolutionary  service.  My  negotiations  in  this  mat- 
ter were  not  unattended  with  difficulty  and  risk. 
Although  my  Canadian  friends  were  closely  watched, 
and  spies  placed  among  them  to  note  their  expres- 
sions and  movements,  and  espionage  even  kept  up 
by  hired  agents  on  the  American  side,  yet  I  found 
means  to  commimicate  with  their  confidential  leaders, 
and  in  a  short  time  was  enabled  to  effect  a  complete 
organization  throughout  the  whole  western  district. 
Nor  were  the  British  authorities  idle.  They  sus- 
pected the  French  "  habitans,"  and  had  recourse  to 
every  measure  to  intimidate,  but  were  never  able, 
either  by  promises  or  threats,  to  induce  them  to  be 
enrolled,  or  to  join  their  militia  force. 

During  the  progress  of  these  events,  a  council  of 
the  friends  of  Canadian  liberty  had  been  formed  in 
Detroit.  Recognised  as  amicable,  and  confided  in  as 
trustworthy  by  the  provisional  government  at  Navy 
Island,  they  were  in  the  daily  habit  of  communi- 
cating to,  and  receiving  intelligence  from,  the  head- 
quarters of  the  republican  army.  Not  wishing  to 
implicate  our  own  government,  or  infringe  its  neu- 
tral and  amicable  relations,  the  organization  of  an 
expedition  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States,  was  anxiously  sought  to  be  avoided.  A  day 
was  named  for  the  Canadians  themselves  to  rise  in 
the  district  opposite,  and  it  was  determined  that 
such  American  citizens  as  were  so  disposed,  and 
there  were  hundreds,  should  cross  the  river  unor- 
ganized, although  equipt,  and  join  the  Canadian 
force  already  in  the  field.  This  plan,  it  was  con- 
ceived, enabled  Americans  to  escape  the  imputation 
of  violating  their  own  laws ;  and  to  this  plan  I  de- 


HI 


citation 
requests 
per  and 
/■  pledge 
pted  the 
anadian 
his  mat- 
nd  risk, 
vatched, 
■  expres- 
kept  up 

I  found 
I  leaders, 
complete 

district, 
hey  sus- 
course  to 
irer  able, 
;m  to  be 

ouncil  of 
)rmed  in 
ed  in  as 
at  Navy 
mmuni- 
Ihe  head- 
Ishing  to 
,  its  neu- 
m  of  an 
United 
A  day 
rise  in 
|ed  that 
[ed,  and 
sr  unor- 
lanadian 
ras  con- 
futation 
Itn  I  de- 


termined to  adhere.  Having  solemnly  obligated 
mj'^sclf,  on  becoming  a  citizen  of  the  United  States, 
to  suj)port  its  constitution  of  government,  I  was  re- 
solved, that  I  myself  would  not,  however  warmly 
engaged  my  feelings  were  in  the  success  of  the  Ca- 
nadian revolution,  knowingly  trespass  upon  that  ob- 
ligation. Common  sense  taught  me  that  my  acts 
beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  could 
not  be  viewed  as  an  offence  against  its  constitution; 
and  my  readhig  of  the  law,  guided,  too,  by  the  soli- 
cited construction  of  the  district  attorney  of  tlie 
United  States,  who  knew  not  my  object  in  making 
the  inquiry,  led  me  to  consider  it  no  offence  contem- 
plated by  the  statute,  to  join  an  expedition  out  of 
the  United  States,  although  such  expedition  might 
have  been  previously  and  unlawfully  "  set  on  foot" 
within  its  jurisdiction.  A  day,  therefore,  was  agreed 
upon  for  a  rising  opposite  Detroit.  On  its  arrival, 
another  citizen  of  Detroit  and  myself  crossed  over 
to  Canada  in  the  ferry  boa.*,  and  landed  at  Windsor. 
Windsor  is  a  small  village,  situated  on  the  south- 
cast  side  of  the  river  Detroit,  opposite  the  city,  and 
chiefly  deriving  its  importance  from  its  location,  and 
the  fiicility  with  which  the  revenue  laws  of  the 
United  States  may  be  violated.  Two  large  retail 
and  wholesale  stores  are  established  here ;  and  much 
wealth  has  been  rapidly  accumulated  by  the  pro- 
prietors, in  vending  their  merchandise  to  all  classes 
in  Michigan,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  male  and 
female,  who  constantly,  especially  during  the  spring 
and  summer  months,  flock  in  crowds  to  these  stores, 
and  most  wonderfully  succeed  in  smuggling  across 
goods  of  every  description.  Piety  and  patriotism 
embark  in  this  business  without  scruple,  and  the 
richest  carpeting  cover  the  floors  of  the  mushroom 
nobility  of  Michigan,  and  the  finest  lace  ornament 
the  persons  of  their  wives ;  on  all  of  which  offended 
law  has  a  claim,  could  its  ministers  be  possessed  of 
the  requisite  proof.     A  steam  ferry  is  established, 


M 


1^1 


'•fl 
i  f 


;  I 


i       -I 


112 

capable  of  porforining,  on  an  ovorago,  three  trips  in 
the  honr.  The  intcrconrse,  therefore,  hctwceii  the 
city  and  the  village  is  constant;  and  nntil  the  river 
is  interrnpted  by  ice,  the  latter  might  almost  be  con- 
sidered as  the  suburbs  of  the  former.  The  inha- 
bitants of  the  two  places  arc  as  neighbours,  seeing 
each  other  every  day,  transacting  l)nsincss  with  all 
the  confidence  of  citizens  of  the  same  government, 
extending  mutual  credit,  and  in  many  instances  the 
families  of  both  sides  of  the  river,  united  in  allec- 
tion  and  feeling  by  the  cords  of  kindred  and  inter- 
marriage. 

Having  previously  arranged  this  visit  to  Windsor, 
with  the  view  of  remaining,  and  taking  my  part,  as 
a  leader,  in  the  contemplated  rising,  I  was  sadly 
disappointed  in  ascertaining  the  fact  from  a  confi 
dential  agent  in  the  affair,  that  owing  to  the  occur- 
rence of  unforeseen  circumstances,  the  movement 
must  necessarily  be  postponed  to  a  future  day.  ]iut 
the  visit  was  not  in  vain,  although  the  plan  of  ope- 
rations was  changed,  and  the  scene  of  action  shifted. 
I  met  a  few  of  those  >vlio  had  consented  to  occupy 
posts  of  responsibility,  and  found  means  of  making 
other  subordinate  appointments,  with  implicit  con- 
fidence that  all  would  be  ready  at  a  given  period. 
I  had  been  aware  for  some  time  previous,  that  my 
movements  had  excited  the  suspicion  of  the  authori- 
ties, and  that  spies  had  been  placed  upon  me  by  the 
magistracy  of  Sandwich,  a  village  some  miles  be- 
low ;  and  in  order  to  effect  their  design  in  ferreting 
out  my  views,  these  well  paid  hirelings  pretended 
to  be  friends  to  the  cause.  While  they  were  mining, 
I  was  coimtermlning.  While  they  feigned  treason  to 
the  throne,  and,  what  was  morally  worse,  were  com- 
mitting treason  to  friendship ;  there  was  in  their 
midst,  a  nobler  ^raitor ;  one  who  loved  liberty ;  one 
■who  panted  for  Canadian  independence,  but  pursued, 
as  the  best  plan  of  serving  the  cause,  the  perilous 
course  of  worming  out  the  views  of  the  royal  func- 


113 


ips  in 

11  tli(; 

liver 

3  coii- 

iiilia- 

5cciiig 

ith  all 

imcut, 

cs  the 

allec- 

iiiter- 

ndsor, 
art,  as 
sadly 
confi 
occur- 
Tment 
.     But 
ff  ope- 
hifted. 
)ccnpy 
lakiiig 
t  con- 
criod. 
at  my 
Uhori- 
y  the 
es  bc- 
rethig 
ended 

Ison  to 
coni- 
their 
;  one 
jrsucd, 
^rilous 
func- 


tionaries, and  at  the  same  time  receiving  the  king's 
pay,  for  vigilantly  tracing  the  movements  of  the  revo- 
lutionists, and  discoverhig  their  designs.  When  Ca- 
nada is  free  and  independent,  as  she  is  soon  destined 
to  be,  many  a  name  will  stand  forth  from  loyal  obscu- 
rity, now  unsuspected,  and  be  hailed  as  an  eflicient 
benefactor  in  her  first  unfortunate  effort  to  conquer 
oppression.  Until  that  period  arrives,  it  would  be  the 
basest  higratitude  to  make  the  slightest  allusion,either 
to  the  sex,  condition,  or  present  position  of  one  wiio 
did  much,  evinced  a  spirit  to  do  more,  and  to  endure 
every  privation,  to  advance  the  cause  of  civil  liberty. 
While  the  individuals  who  were  employed  to  watch 
my  motions  and  report  my  designs,  flattered  them- 
selves they  were  unsuspected,  I  had  accurate  infor- 
mation, from  an  unquestionable  source,  of  their  real 
character  and  object.  The  game  of  deceit  was,  there- 
fore, doubly  deceitful.  I  permitted  them  to  dog  my 
steps,  continually  misled  them  in  their  calculations, 
and  never,  in  a  single  instance,  failed  in  directing 
them  on  a  false  scent.  The  information  which  these 
spies  received  from  myself  and  others,  was,  if  deemed 
of  consequence  to  excite  action  among  the  Ame- 
rican authorities,  immediately  communicated  to  the 
civil  and  miUtary  functionaries  of  the  United  States; 
and  many  an  amusing  midnight  expedition  was  the 
consequence. 

Among  the  magistracy  of  the  western  district  of 
Upper  Canada,  was  an  individual  of  the  name  of 
John  Prince,  a  well-educated  and  wealthy  English- 
man, who  hadj  a  few  years  before  these  events,  emi- 
grated, or,  rather,  ran  away  from  London,  with 
plenty  of  golden  means  to  secure  himself  a  retreat 
ill  the  western  wilds  of  Canada.  It  is  not  for  me  to 
pass  an  opinion,  in  this  work,  designed  more  to  de- 
tail my  connexion  with  the  revolution  than  to  give 
its  full  history,  on  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the  pre- 
valent reports  relative  to  the  cause  of  this  man's 
flight  from  England.    He  was  an  attorney  in  the 

10* 


.'i 


!    I 


HI 

city  of  LondiJii;  lie  is  now  an  advocate  and  coun- 
sellor in  the  village  of  Sandwich.  Having  pur- 
chased an  extensive  estate  in  tlie  vicinage  of  this 
village,  and  erected  a  spacious  dwelling,  he  strove 
to  imitate  in  his  style  of  living — his  hounds  for 
hunting,  his  park  for  game,  and  his  ostentatious  lios- 
pitality — the  manners  of  the  artificial  nohility  of 
Iiis  native  land.  At  this  time,  he  was  a  colonel  in 
the  militia,  a  magistrate,  and  a  prominent  memhcr 
of  the  provincial  parliament,  elected  expressly  by 
the  friends  of  reform,  as  the  radical  candidate.  Am- 
bitious of  distinction,  he  placed  no  value  on  his 
early  pledges  to  the  people,  by  whose  voice  he  was 
placed  in  political  power;  thirsting  for  knighthood, 
to  hide  in  obscurity  some  portion  of  his  early  his- 
tory; dark  and  mysterious,  cruel  and  vindictive, 
plausible  but  to  deceive,  he  spared  neither  money, 
nor  time,  nor  art,  to  crush  the  spirit  of  reform,  and 
blight  the  hopes  of  the  friends  of  Canadian  inde- 
pendence. By  physical  appetite  a  sensualist,  his 
propensity  for  the  indulgence  of  tlie  table  was  the 
only  foible  in  his  character  that  was  available  to  the 
attacks  of  his  enemies.  When  under  the  influence 
of  ardent  stimulant — and  it  was  a  frequent  habit — 
the  fang  of  the  serpent  could  be  seen,  and  precau- 
tion taken  to  neutralize  the  venom. 

While  waiting  for  the  boat,  on  the  evening  of  the 
day  already  alluded  to,  at  the  storehouse  of  James 
Dougall  &  Co.,  adjacent  to  the  ferry,  1  was  accosted 
by  Prince,  in  a  state  of  intoxication.  I  ascertained 
that  there  was  discord  and  \Yrangling  among  the 
provincial  magistracy;  one  of  whom,  a  man  of 
French  descent,  who  had  borne  a  conspicuous  part 
in  the  last  American  war,  was  severely  catechized 
in  my  presence,  for  the  apparent  indifference  which 
he  and  the  other  French;  inhabitants  had  manifested 
in  taking  up  arms  to  suppress  any  attempt  at  insur- 
rection. At  this  time,  no  very  friendly  feeling  ex- 
isted between  Prince  and  myself.     We  knew  each 


coun- 

^f  this 
strove 
(Is   for 
IS  hos- 
lity  of 
nicl  ill 
icmber 
sly  by 
Ani- 
on his 
lie  was 
ithood, 
rly  his- 
dictivc, 
money, 
m,  and 
1  inde- 
ist,  his 
iTas  the 

to  the 
fluence 
labit — 

rccau- 

of  the 
James 
icosted 
itained 
the 
laii  of 
IS  part 
Ichized 
which 
lifested 
insur- 
ig  ex- 
each 


115 

other,  lie  snspccted  nio ;  and  I  had  ample  reason 
to  keep  a  constant  look-ont  npon  him.  Besides, 
some  days  previous.  Prince  had  shanicfnily  abused 
a  poor  Irislmian  whom  he  liad  had  in  his  employ, 
and  had  threatened  hhn  with  imprisonment,  when 
demanding  his  wages.  As  this  poor  fellow  had  been 
a  citizen  of  Detroit,  and  a  countryman  of  mine,  I 
was  well  acquainted  with  him,  and  had  received 
from  his  own  lips  the  narrative  of  his  wrongs.  lie 
had  a  large  family  dependent  upon  his  exertions, 
and  consulted  me  on  the  plan  best  calculated  to  re- 
cover his  due  from  Prince.  I,  accordingly,  so  ar- 
ranged his  business,  that  the  first  time  Prince  visited 
Detroit,  I  liad  him  arrested  for  the  debt,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  pay  it.  This  insult,  as  he  termed  it,  to  his 
consequence  and  standmg,  he  very  justly  attributed 
to  me.  A  man  that  never  forgives,  rarely  forgets ; 
and  the  transaction  was  too  recent,  to  require  the 
impulsive  power  of  vindictiveness  to  freshen  recol- 
lection. I  knew  by  the  restless  brilliancy  of  his 
eye,  distantly  flashing  like  the  electricity  of  an  ap- 
proaching thunder-storm,  that  he  had  been  at  his 
cups,  and  was 

"  VinJex  in  vino." 

I  saw  the  advantage  he  possessed,  in  the  circum- 
stances in  which  I  stood : — the  disturbed  state  of  the 
country,  my  well  known  republicanism,  my  inti- 
macy with  the  French,  and  my  personal  presence  at 
the  various  meetings  in  Detroit,  for  the  relief  of  the 
Canadian  refugees.  I  knew  at  once  that  he  could, 
with  the  assent  of  the  other  magistrates,  a  majority 
of  whom  were  present,  commit  me  as  a  suspected 
person,  without  oath.  He  possessed  the  power,  and 
had  the  disposition.  I  saw  the  ferry-boat  returning ; 
and,  believing  that  bold  audacity  was  my  only 
chance,  and  fixing  upon  Prince  the  motive  of  private 
revenge,  and  not  the  public  good,  the  best  way  to 
mislead  his  fellow-magistrates,  I  did  not  hesitate. 


i 


n 


i\ 


ii 


116 

Without  cxliil)iting  the  least  apprehension,  I  cx- 
()resscd  my  opinion  of  his  conduct,  «uid  admitted  his 
accusation ;  and  that  I  did — wliat  was  my  blessed 
privilege  as  an  American  citizen — freely,  at  the  pub- 
lic meetings  in  Detroit,  avow  myself  a  friend  to  tho 
revolution  of  the  Canadas.  My  boldness  had  tho 
desired  effect ;  and  Prince's  conduct  in  assailing  me, 
was  attributed  by  his  colleagues  to  personal  pique, 
and  the  desire  to  punish  me  for  his  arrest  in  Detroit ; 
and  when  the  ferry-boat  recrossed,  I  came  with  it. 
Thus  was  I  rescued,  for  the  first  time,  from  the  che- 
rished revenge  of  this  man.  The  sequel  will  expose 
his  malicious  temperament  in  other  instances,  and 
my  most  fortunate  escape,  to  his  lasting  mortifi- 
cation. 


«;(' ; 


4h 
ill'- 


*:l 


CHAPTER  X. 

Change  of  Plan — Departure  of  the  Schooner  Ann  from  Detroit — Gib- 
raltar— Indian  Emissaries — Arrival  of  Sutherland — Departure  from 
Gibraltar — Attack  on  Bois  Blanc — Cruise  of  the  Ann. 

It  was  now  the  middle  of  December ;  and  what 
was  very  unusual  for  the  season,  the  river  Detroit  was 
free  from  ice,  in  navigable  order,  and  the  weather  ex- 
tremely moderate.  The  Canadian  refugees,  number- 
ing some  320  men,  who  had  congregated  in  and  about 
Detroit,  had  been  supplied  by  the  benevolent,  who 
desired  to  witness  their  successful  return  to  their 
farms,  and  the  overthrow  of  Canadian  despotism, 
with  arms,  ammunition,  and  provision  for  a  winter's 
excursion.  These  men  had  been  organized  secretly, 
under  their  own  chosen  leaders;  and,  being  chiefly 
from  the  London  district,  were  of  English  or  Ameri- 
can descent — had  arranged  a  plan  of  attack,  that,  in 


I    ^ 


\'  ::■ 


and 


what 
fit  was 
[er  ex- 
Imber- 
1  about 
who 
their 

>tism, 
inter's 

;retly, 
[hiefly 

.meri- 

lat,  ill 


117 

the  tlicM  shiiiilion  of  tliat  portion  of  tlio  province  op- 
posite Di;tro";,  promised  at  least  a  temporary  siu  cess. 
IVIany  Anieiiean  citizens,  who,  in  tiieir  eii'Inisiasni, 
had  buried  all  scruple  in  relation  t.  the  law  of  tlnir 
own  country,  had  enrolled  themselves  willi  them. 
Their  plan  was  communicated  to  me  ;  and,  althoui,'h 
I  most  pertinaciously  adhered  to  my  determination, 
not  "  to  set  on  foot  an  expedition  within  the  United 
States,"  or  "  provide  the  means,"  yet  I  did  not  deem 
it  a  crime  to  enter  into  consultation,  and  agree  that 
my  friends,  now  organizing  in  Canada,  should  co- 
operate with  the  refugee  detachment  in  the  United 
States,  then  nearly  prepared  for  invasion.  As  there 
was  no  regular  British  force,  at  tliis  time,  in  the  oc- 
cupation of  either  Sandwich,  Windsor,  or  Maiden, 
and  those  places  were  only  protected  })y  the  pro- 
vincial militia,  hastily  collected,  and  many  of  whom, 
it  was  known,  were  by  no  means  ill  disposed  to  the 
Vcvolution,  the  council  at  Detroit,  who  had  assumed 
the  management  and  direction  ojf  the  expedition  or- 
ganizing in  Michigan,  determined,  in  the  expectation 
that  the  river  would  be  sufficiently  frozen  to  bear  the 
transportation  of  men,  by  the  first  of  the  coming  year, 
to  make  a  landing  at  that  time,  at  Windsor,  confi- 
dently believing,  that,  could  they  there  plant  the 
standard  of  the  provincial  government,  and  maintain 
their  position  for  a  week,  they  would  receive  addi- 
tional recruits  from  the  hardy  and  enterprising  young 
men  of  Ohio  and  Michigan,  and  be  able  successfully 
to  repel  any  force  of  British  regulars  that  could  be 
spared  from  the  lower  country.  They  had,  also,  as- 
surance of  an  ample  supply  of  provision  and  muni- 
tions of  war,  could  they  only  obtain  a  promising 
position  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States. 
But  the  occupation  of  Navy  Island,  the  seizure  of 
arms  from  the  public  arsenals,  the  excitement  on  the 
frontier,  and  the  remonstrances  of  the  British  minis- 
ter at  Washington,  had  roused  the  government  of 
the  United  States ;  and  the  civil  and  military  autho- 


f 


if  ' 


t . 


'i 


I    r 

(    J 


■  I  i 


i 


!l 

'II 
''i 

'tl' 
■I' 


118 

rities  in  Michigan,  now  active  and  vigilant,  inter- 
posed obstacles  and  difficulties  to  the  original  design, 
that  could  not  well  be  surmounted,  especially  as  the 
law  of  nature  seemed  to  be  suspended,  adversely  to 
the  plan  of  a  direct  invasion  from  Detroit.  Con- 
trary to  every  reasonable  hope,  the  river  remained 
open,  and  no  preparation  had  been  made  for  water 
craft ;  and  if  there  had  been,  the  vigilance  of  Gene- 
ral Brady,  the  military  officer  in  command  of  the 
United  States  forces,  and  the  marshal's  deputies,  for- 
bade the  attempt.  The  whole  plan,  therefore,  to  my 
great  regret,  was  changed ;  of  which  I  was  apprised 
in  time  to  communicate  with  my  subordinates  on 
the  other  side.  Maiden,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
was  now  the  selected  object  of  attack ;  and  the  refu- 
gees and  their  allies  were  directed  secretly  to  con- 
gregate at  Gibraltar,  a  small  village  in  Michigan, 
by  the  sixth  and  seventh  of  January,  so  as  to  make 
the  descent  upon  Maiden  upon  the  glorious  eighth, 
a  day  so  celebrated  in  the  annals  of  American  he- 
roism. 

On  the  morning  of  the  sixth  of  January,  1838, 1 
witnessed  the  departure  of  the  schooner  called  "the 
Ann  of  Detroit,"  laden  with  arms  and  provision, 
and  having  on  board  a  company  of  refugees,  well 
armed  and  equipt  for  service,  all  being  under  the 
command  of  Captain  R.  Davis,  formerly  of  the  Lon- 
don district,  U.  C.,a  man  whose  personal  appearance 
betokened  physical  prowess,  and  whose  spirit  and 
determination  could  not  easily  be  subdued.  He  had 
also  with  him  a  small  corps  called  "  the  Spartans,'* 
so  called  from  their  resolution  to  risk  all  in  the  cause ; 
his  whole  command  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-two  men. 

I  was  awaiting  information  from  my  friends  on 
the  other  side,  and  consequently,  although  strongly 
suspected  by  the  American  functionaries,  my  deten- 
tion in  Detroit  at  this  crisis,  was  observed,  and  con- 
strued as  favouring  the  belief,  that  I  had  no  connex- 


ll     !' 


ision, 

1,  well 

ler  the 

Lon- 

rance 

lit  and 

chad 

ans," 

jause ; 

^d  and 

Ids  on 
pngly 
leten- 
con- 
innex- 


i 


119 

ion  with  the  expedition  which  had  just  departed  from 
the  public  wharves.  And  such  was  the  fjict.  In 
the  course  of  the  day,  my  trusty  agent,  whose  name 
must  remain  in  obscurity  until  Canada  is  free,  brouglit 
me  the  intelligence,  that  my  friends  on  the  other  side 
would  be  prepared  to  raise  the  standard  of  rebellion, 
on  the  day  agreed  upon ;  and  that  the  occupation  of 
Maiden  by  the  refugees  would  be  the  signal  for  a 
general  rising  from  St.  Clair  to  Lake  Erie. 

Having  made  all  necessary  arrangements,  and  bid 
adieu  to  my  family,  not  expecting  to  see  them  again, 
until  I  was  in  command  on  the  opposite  shore,  I  pro- 
ceeded to  Gibraltar,  in  order  to  be  ready,  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning,  to  join  "  my  command,"  as  soon  after 
the  contemplated  capture  of  Maiden  as  circumstances 
would  admit,  firmly  resolved  to  have  no  connexion 
with  the  expedition  raised  on  this  side,  and  to  steer 
clear  of  violating  the  law  of  my  adopted  country. 
In  that  expedition  I  had  no  command  ;  I  did  not 
participate  in  "  setting  it  on  foot,"  and  my  stay  at 
Gibraltar  until  after  its  departure,  was  in  common 
with  that  of  many  citizens  who  were  attracted  there 
by  curiosity  or  business.  Nor  should  it  be  here 
alleged,  that  I  was  too  nicely  scrupulous  about  the 
law,  inasmuch  as  I  had  accepted  a  commission  in  a 
foreign  service  to  wage  war  against  an  amicable 
power.  Even  here  the  injunction  of  the  law  was 
punctiUously  observed.  What  I  did,  and  tvhat  I 
laas  to  do^  was  located  beyond  the  legal  jurisdiction 
of  the  United  States.  I  reached  Gibraltar  before 
the  arrival  of  the  schooner  Ann.  Men,  however, 
from  all  quarters  had  assembled  there,  and  something 
like  a  regular  camp  was  established,  and  military 
rule  and  discipline  observed.  I  took  lodgings  in  a 
tavern,  and  had  free  intercourse  with  the  gentlemen 
having  the  control  of  affairs,  and  as  far  as  my  advice 
was  of  service,  it  was  freely  tendered  and  accepted. 
While  here,  however,  an  incident  occurred  that  called 
for  more  than  mere  advice. 


120 


ii 


'  ,       I 


V  If 


i       ' 


H;     11 


Intelligence  was  brought  to  the  camp,  that  three 
chiefs  of  the  Huron  tribe  of  Indians,  resident  in 
Canada,  had  recently  been  seen  on  this  side  of  the 
river,  dressed  in  their  war  costume.  It  was  believed 
by  those  who  knew  their  character,  that  their  visit 
was  hostile,  and  that  they  had  gone  into  the  interior, 
some  miles  distant,  to  certain  Indian  villages,  back  of 
a  place  called  Flat  Rock,  where  a  branch  of  their 
nation  resided ;  and  that  their  object  was  to  raise 
the  tribe,  and  induce  them  to  commit  depredations 
upon  American  settlers,  and  then  recross  the  river, 
and  in  that  way  give  employment  to  Americans  at 
home,  and  divert  them  from  busying  themselves  in 
Canadian  troubles.  To  ascertain  the  truth  of  this 
report,  and,  if  true,  to  defeat  the  project,  I  proposed 
to  the  officer  in  command,  to  pursue  their  trail,  if  he 
would  allow  six  men  to  volunteer  to  go  with  me. 
This  he  did.  Many  were  willing,  but  I  selected 
such  as  I  knew  I  could  depend  upon,  and  with  a 
trusty  guide  acquainted  with  the  woods,  we  at  once 
followed  upon  their  trail.  This  was  an  expedition  ; 
and  here  I  admit,  that,  had  its  object  been  hostile  to 
Canada,  I  was  then  infracting  the  law  :  but  the  de- 
sign was  to  defend  the  settlers  from  Indian  plunder. 
The  night  was  dark,  the  weather,  a  dripping  rain. 
After  a  troublesome  and  unpleasant  march  of  some 
hours,  we  arrived  at  the  wigwam  of  the  chief  whom, 
we  learned,  was  married  to  the  daughter  of  the  old 
Huron  Indian  named  among  the  English  by  the  eu- 
plionious  title  of  Split-log,  somewhat  notorious  in  the 
liistory  of  the  last  war,  as  one  of  the  allies  of  his 
most  Christian  majesty,  the  sovereign  of  Great  Bri- 
tain and  Ireland.  The  chief  was  not  at  home,  and 
the  guide,  who  knew  his  family,  and  had  reconnoi- 
tred the  establishment,  gave  the  information,  that  old 
Split-log  was  there.  The  party  surrounded  his  cabin, 
and  took  him  prisoner.  We  essayed  to  deceive  him 
in  this  manner.  I  entered  the  cabin,  and  informed 
him,  that   I  and  my  party  had  come   over  from 


that  three 
;sident  in 
de  of  the 
3  believed 
their  visit 
e  interior, 
s,  back  of 
I  of  their 
5  to  raise 
iredations 
the  river, 
3ricans  at 
iselves  in 
th  of  this 
proposed 
rail,  if  he 
with  me. 
[  selected 
id  with  a 
e  at  once 
pedition ; 
hostile  to 
It  the  de- 
plunder, 
nig  rain, 
of  some 
if  whom, 
the  old 
the  eu- 
lus  in  the 
s  of  his 
eat  Bri- 
|me,  and 
^connoi- 
that  old 
s  cabin, 
live  him 
formed 
r  from 


121 

Maiden  by  order  of  Col.  Prince,  to  see  one  Magee, 
a  half-breed,  in  Bri^tish  pay,  who  had  been  intrusted 
with  a  negotiation,  and  that  the  colonel  desired  his 
immediate  return.  The  old  man,  from  my  dress, 
liaving  on  a  blue  frock  coat,  cut  rather  in  the  fashion 
of  a  mihtary  undress  coat,  with  a  standing  collar, 
and  the  armed  men  who  attended  me,  may  have 
thought  that  I  was  a  British  officer.  He,  however, 
accompanied  me,  without  indicating  any  suspicion, 
to  the  place  where  Magee  was,  at  the  upper  village, 
and  where  the  chiefs  and  young  men  of  the  nation 
had  agreed  "  to  meet  and  hear  his  talk."  Split-log, 
old  and  feeble  as  he  seemed,  led  the  way,  with  the 
activity  of  youth.  After  the  endurance  of  much 
fatigue  by  my  party  and  myself,  coursing  the  woods, 
and  crossing  the  Huron  river  at  much  risk,  it  being 
then  swelled  beyond  its  banks,  in  consequence  of  the 
heavy  rain  that  had  fallen,  we  neared  the  upper 
village.  As  we  approached,  an  Indian  stepped  for- 
ward and  strove  to  interrupt  our  further  progress. 
He  had  been  sent  to  summon  Split-log  to  their 
council.  By  threats  of  instant  death,  we  compelled 
him  to  guide  us  to  the  principal  lodge  where  they 
were  assembled.  It  was  situated  a  little  distance 
from  the  centre  of  the  village.  I  placed  the  two  Indi- 
ans in  the  custody  of  the  two  armed  men,  with  direc- 
tions to  shoot  them,  in  case  they  offered  to  escape,  and 
with  the  remainder  of  the  party,  determined  to  enter 
the  lodge,  confiding  the  issue  to  audacity  and  fortune. 
We  interrupted  Magee,  in  what  seemed  to  him  to 
be  a  splendid  oration,  which  had  been  placed  in  his 
mouth  by  our  most  merciful  neighbours.  He  was 
delivering,  with  great  animation,  an  angry  pow-wow 
to  some  twenty  Indians,  which  was  subsequently 
interpreted  to  me  by  Jaques  Campau,  our  guide  ;  a 
man  of  sterling  fidelity,  and  whose  birth  on  the 
frontier,  and  Canadian  descent,  gave  him  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  Indian  habits  and  language, 
and  whose  uniform  integrity  had  secured  him  their 

11 


fA 


r 


122 


■!l 


confidence  and  attachment.  Magcc  ponrtrayed  the 
might  and  power  of  the  British  people,  and  how  kind 
they  had  ever  been  to  the  poor  Indian.  That  a 
great  chief,  who  Uved  away  beyond  the  rising  sun, 
and  had  more  warriors  and  young  men  than  the 
leaves  of  the  forest,  governed  all  the  red-coats,  and 
was  the  only  great  father  of  the  red  man.  That  the 
Yankees  were  bad  men,  liars,  and  had  always 
cheated  the  Indian,  and  drove  him  from  his  wigwam 
and  hunting  grounds.  That  they  were  now  in  arms, 
near  by,  to  drive  them  from  their  villages  on  the 
Huron,  and  rob  them  of  their  horses;  that  their 
friend,  the  captain  of  their  British  father,  had  sent 
him  from  Maiden,  to  tell  them  to  be  watchful,  and 
advise  them  that  they  had  better  punish  the  Yankees 
around  them,  and  fly  immediately  to  him  at  Maiden, 
who  had  sent  for  plenty  of  red-coats,  and  had  al- 
ready brightened  the  war  hatchet,  and  given  rifles 
to  the  black  snakes.*  This  was  in  brief  the  substance 
of  Magee's  talk,  and  although  unacquainted  with 
the  guttural  gibberage  in  which  he  spoke,  I  knew 
from  his  action  and  the  angry  countenances  of  his 
savage  audience,  that  he  Avas  persu?.ding  them  to 
some  hostile  course  of  conduct.  When  we  entered 
the  lodge,  he  was  standing  in  the  centre  of  a  number 
of  men,  who  were  seated  in  a  semicircular  form  in 
front  of  him,  and  as  his  back  was  towards  us,  our 
entrance  was  not  perceived,  until  I  was  at  his  side. 
Campau  and  the  four  men  who  followed  me,  wisely 
and  speedily  placed  themselves  between  the  savage 
listeners  and  a  few  Indian  rifles,  that  had  been  placed 
in  a  corner  of  the  cabin.  Magee  startled  at  the  in- 
terruption, and  would  have  made  for  his  rifle.  A  stir 
was  manifest  among  the  others,  but,  on  perceiving 
their  situation,  deprived  of  arms,  and  my  force,  they 
changed  in  an  instant  from  an  hostile  scowl  to  the 
smile  of  friendship.  I  quietly  told  Magee  that  I  had 
come  with  authority  to  arrest  him,  and  pointing  sig- 

*  The  runaway  negroes. 


i:    i 


.  t 


123 

nificantly  to  Campaii,  whom  he  knew,  I  led  him  to 
understand  that  I  was  aware  of  what  he  had  been 
saying,  and  for  what  he  had  crossed  the  river. 
Placing  him  as  a  prisoner  in  custody,  I  assumed  his 
place  as  orator  of  the  night,  and  informed  his  silent 
and  amazed  auditory,  through  the  interpretation  of 
Campau,  that  I  fully  understood  the  errand  of  the 
British  emissary  and  the  enormities  he  wished  them 
to  perpetrate,  that  their  compliance  with  his  designs 
would  be  ruinous  to  them,  that  he  had  spoken  lies, 
and  that  their  American  neighbours  were  their 
friends ;  that  they  must  remain  quiet  and  peaceful, 
and  that  I  had  a  sufficient  force  within  call,  and  that 
they  must  remain  where  they  then  were,  lest  they 
might  be  seen  by  some  of  my  warriors  in  the  woods, 
who,  believing  them  to  be  enemies,  would  probably 
take  their  scalps,  which  I  and  their  American  father 
would  greatly  deplore. 

One  of  them,  after  some  consultation,  replied  for 
the  rest,  and  promised  they  would  attend  to  my  talk. 
He  said,  that  but  one  or  two  drunken  Indians  had 
listened  to  the  offers  of  the  red-coats,  and  that  those 
present  had  only  come  to  hear  what  Magee  had 
to  say.  That  they  would  prevent  their  young  men 
from  being  led  astray  by  the  wicked  British  Indians, 
that  they  loved  the  Yankees,  they  were  good  neigh- 
bours, and  that  the  red-coats  over  the  river  had 
crows  for  warriors,  and  that  they  would  not  join  a 
war  party  with  dirty  black  birds.  After  a  most  so- 
lemn assurance  that  they  would  stay  at  home,  and 
not  mind  what  Magee  had  said  to  them,  we  parted 
friends.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  however,  I  have 
since  understood,  that  upwards  of  thirty  of  them 
crossed  over  to  Maiden  the  ensuing  week,  and  ten- 
dered their  services  as  adjunct  allies  with  the  black 
birds,  to  her  most  gracious  majesty's  commanding 
officer,  and  were  most  graciously  received.  So  much 
for  Indian  profession.  We  left  them,  however,  un- 
molested, and  brought  our  prisoners  along  with  us  j 


■' ' 


M 


,   it'-'     ,, 


I  ■> 


ik 


iiii 


,1 


■■'^ 


124 

and  although  we  were  fatigued,  weary,  and  wet, 
and  the  rain  had  not  ceased,  we  reached  the  settle- 
ment a  httle  after  daylight,  and  Gibraltar  about  noon. 
By  this  time,  the  schooner  Ann  had  got  down,  and 
with  her  had  arrived  a  few  other  boats  and  small 
craft  with  about  three  hundred  Canadian  refugees. 
Davis,  in  his  voyage  down  the  river,  had  been  chased 
by  an  armed  British  steamer ;  but  on  fearlessly  mani- 
festing a  readiness  for  action,  they  leisurely  kept  at  a 
distance,  watching  his  course,  and  no  doubt  4?om- 
municated  immediate  intelligence  to  the  American 
and  British  authorities,  of  the  character  of  the  vessel, 
and  the  mustering  of  an  armed  force,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Maiden.  This  was  unfortunate,  and 
boded  defeat  to  the  main  object  of  taking  the  place  by 
surprise,  securing  British  ground  for  the  discipline  of 
hastily  levied  and  untutored  troops,  and  unquestion- 
ably would  protract,  if  not  prevent,  the  conventional 
rising  of  the  Canadians  themselves.  Davis  had  also 
been  accosted,  near  the  river  Ecorse,  which  empties 
into  the  Detroit,  several  miles  below  the  city,  by  the 
United  States  marshal,  and  a  posse  of  the  citizens, 
most  of  whom,  however,  being  favourably  disposed, 
rather  facilitated  than  retarded  his  progress.  His 
escape  from  arrest,  however  it  was  viewed  as  the 
subject  of  gratulation  by  the  leaders  at  Gibraltar,  only 
added  to  my  perplexity,  and  convinced  me  thai  the 
contemplated  capture  of  Maiden  would  not  be  so  easy 
a  matter  as  was  at  first  anticipated.  1  saw  difficulty 
and  danger  ahead,  but  deemed  it  best  to  keep  my 
mind  to  myself;  for  the  men  engaged  had  now  gone 
too  far  to  recede  with  honour ;  and  delay,  however 
wise,  would  only  serve  to  strengthen  our  adversary, 
and  afl^ord  further  time  for  preparation. 

That  night  the  steamboat  Erie,  a  small  craft,  de- 
signed to  ply  between  the  border  villages  on  the  river 
and  the  lake,  arrived  at  the  wharf,  conveying  about 
sixty  volunteers  from  Ohio,  and  with  them,  in  reputed 
command,  derived  from  Navy  Island,  a  man  who 


1 


if- 


I 


and  wet, 
the  scttle- 
30iit  noon, 
lown,  and 
and  small 

refugees. 
3en  chased 
ssly  mani- 
y  kept  at  a 
mbt  4?om- 

American 
the  vessel, 
the  neigh- 
mate,  and 
le  place  by 
scipline  of 
nquestion- 
nventional 
is  had  also 
;h  empties 
Lty,  by  the 
e  citizens, 

disposed, 

ess.     His 

ed  as  the 
Itar,  only 
that  the 

be  so  easy 
difficulty 

keep  my 
ow  gone 
however 

[dversary, 

jraft,  de- 
the  river 

|ng  about 

reputed 

lan  who 


\ii 


125 

graced  himself  with  the  high-sounding  Scotch  appcl- 
larioii  of  General  Sutherland.  With  an  air  of  impor- 
tance, and  an  ostentation  of  authority,  he  at  once 
undertook  to  command  and  direct  the  expedition. 
Of  somewhat  imposing  personal  appearance,  of  which 
ho  was  excessively  vain ;  gifted  with  an  impudence 
that  counterfeited  courage,  and  a  copiousness  of 
words,  that  could  never  be  mistaken  for  genuine 
eloquence,  reminding  an  unfortunate  hearer,  who 
had  ever  slept  in  a  garret-loft,  of  the  incessant  patter- 
ing which  rain-drops  make  upon  the  roof — constant 
sound,  and  no  sense ;  this  man,  Sutherland,  was  to 


f       the  cause  of  Canada,  and  at  this 


crisis,  the  fiend 


of 


discord,  that  could  promise  in  this  quarter  no  other 
issue  than  shame  and  defeat.  What  spirit  could  have 
prompted  the  provisional  government  at  Navy  Island, 
knowing  the  man,  to  send  among  enthusiastic  and 
warm-hearted  strangers,  devoted  to  their  cause,  such 
a  plumed  popinjay  and  blustering  Bobadil,  it  is 
difficult  to  fathom,  and  never  has  been  explained. 
His  subsequent  connexion  with  the  revolution,  was 
but  an  exposure  of  imbecility,  indecision,  avarice, 
meanness,  treachery,  and  cowardice.  He  imposed 
upon  the  public,  and  pilfered  the  patriot  purse.  He 
had  neither  firmness  nor  fortitude ;  he  had  neither 
skill  nor  daring.  He  could  not  instruct  properly  a 
single  platoon,  or  face  an  enemy  in  the  field.  He 
came  to  Michigan  "  in  a  flourish  of  trumpets,"  him- 
self blowing  the  principal  horn;  he  left  it,  one  cold 
winter's  day,  after  a  variegated  sojourn,  in  which  he 
plucked  no  laurels,  and  was  taken  prisoner  on  the 
ice,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Detroit,  by  John  Prince, 
unarmed,  except  with  a  shot-gun,  and  unattended. 

This  man's  arrival  at  Gibraltar  seemed  to  me  the 
coinmeiicement  of  discord  and  disorder.  The  men 
^vere  disgusted  with  his  foppery  and  assumed  im- 
portance. He  was  a  stranger,  and  they  could  not, 
at  once,  confide  in  him.  The  heartless  hireling,  who 
perils  life  for  lucre,  cares  not  who  leads,  as  long  as 

11* 


I 


ft. 


r;  i 


il 


H 


i    M! 


I;       ' 


■U»i    ii 


12« 

the  pay  and  thf  plaiider  is  sure :  but  no  such  Dalgetty- 
ism  ever  can  characterize  that  species  of  troops  who 
are  called  into  action  by  principle  and  enthusiasm ; 
and  they  cannot  be  inspired  with  confidence,  when 
they  question  the  courage  or  the  competency  of  their 
commander.  The  night  of  Sutherland's  arrival  was 
passed  in  a  council  of  war,  to  which  I  had  been  cour- 
teously invited,  and  at  which  I  felt  it  my  duty,  as 
well  to  myself  as  to  my  associates  on  the  other  side, 
to  attend.  At  this  council,  Sutherland  exhibited  his 
recommendatory  letters,  and  claimed  the  command. 
This  was  denied  him ;  and  he,  on  his  part,  refused 
the  exhibition  of  tlie  plans  of  the  provisional  govern- 
ment, which  he  alleged  were  in  his  possession,  and 
left  the  council.  The  force  was  estimated  at  five 
hundred  men,  well  armed,  composed  of  the  refugees, 
and  adventurous  young  men  from  Ohio  and  Mi- 
chigan, amply  sufficient,  if  properly  directed,  with 
promptitude,  to  accomplish  the  object  had  in  view. 
Letters  had  been  received  from  Detroit,  urging  an 
immediate  movement  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States,  as  the  civil  authorities  of  the  state, 
and  the  marshal's  posse,  were  on  their  way  down 
the  river,  with  judicial  writs,  to  arrest  the  leaders, 
seize  the  arms,  and  disperse  the  detachment,  as  being 
an  expedition  in  contravention  to  the  laws  and  trea- 
ties of  the  United  States.  Inasmuch  as  I  had  no 
command,  I,  with  some  others  present,  had  deter- 
mined not  to  participate,  until  we  beheld  the  banner 
raised  within  British  jurisdiction ;  and  as  procrastina- 
tion would  only  serve  to  defeat  the  project,  implicate 
us,  and  involve  our  cause  in  needless  controversy 
with  our  own  government,  I  advised  and  entreated 
an  immediate  departure  from  Gibraltar,  and  the  oc- 
cupation of  Bois  Blanc  Island,  which  was  within 
gunshot  of  Maiden,  and  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  United  States.  I  stated  that  a  collision  with  the 
United  States  must  be  avoided ;  that  the  treaty  ob- 
hgations  of  our  country  would  necessarily  impel  the 


Iii7 


Dalgetty- 
)ops  who 
husiasm ; 
ice,  when 
;y  of  their 
riv^al  was 
leeii  cour- 
j  duty,  as 
ither  side, 
ibited  his 
command. 
:t,  refused 
al  govern- 
ssion,  and 
3d  at  five 
;  refugees, 
and  Mi- 
cted,  with 
1  in  view, 
urging  an 
n  of  the 
the  state, 
iray  down 
e  leaders, 
,  as  being 
and  trea- 
I  had  no 
ad  deter- 
le  banner 
crastina- 
implicate 
itroversy 
entreated 
d  tlie  oc- 
s  within 
iction  of 
with  the 
[reaty  ob- 
mpel  the 


I 


■\ 


civil  and  miUtary  functionaries  to  suppress  the  ex- 
pedition ;  that  however  zealous  the  men  were  in  the 
cause,  yet  they  could  not  be  brought  to  combat  with 
the  legal  process  and  authority  of  their  own  land ; 
that  it  was  then  practicable  to  take  and  occupy  the 
island ;  that  the  British  had  but  a  small  force  at 
Maiden,  chiefly  militia ;  but,  that  every  day's  delay 
would  increase  their  strength,  and  render  the  under- 
taking more  hazardous;  and  that,  as  the  individual 
indicated  by  the  council  at  Detroit  to  assume  the 
command,  was  still  absent,  and  the  emergency  called 
for  action,  and  forbade  dispute,  it  would  be  better  to 
peftnit  Gen.  Sutherland  to  have  the  direction  of 
affairs  until  we  had  taken  possession  of  the  island, 
when  the  command  could  be  changed,  should  they 
and  their  men  continue  dissatisfied.  ]My  opinions 
met  the  approbation  of  the  majority,  and  I  was  re- 
quested to  inform  Sutherland  of  the  conditional  con- 
currence of  the  council  with  his  propositions ;  and  he 
readily  embraced  the  command. 

The  next  morning,  bright  and  early,  preparations 
were  making  for  the  embarcation ;  and  Sutherland 
busied  himself  in  the  field  of  oratory,  while  his  sub- 
ordinates were  actively  engaged  in  the  promotion  of 
order  and  arrangements  for  departure.  It  was  un- 
derstood, that  Gov.  Mason,  the  executive  of  Mi- 
chigan, (whose  democracy  prompted  him  to  pray  for 
the  success  of  the  cause,  while  the  dictates  of  duty 
impelled  him  to  counteract  the  eftbrt,)  was  descend- 
ing the  river  with  a  strong  force;  and  haste  Avas 
made  to  leave  Gibraltar  before  his  arrival.  In  this 
they  were  successful.  .  The  expedition  pushed  off 
for  Canada,  just  in  time  to  escape,  and  as  the  smoke 
of  the  steamboat,  in  which  were  Mason  and  the 
marshal's  posse,  could  be  discovered  some  miles  up 
the  river. 

Having  made  my  arrangements  to  follow  as  soon 
as  they  had  crossed  the  boundary  line,  I  left  Gibral- 
tar in  a  small  boat,  accompanied  by  a  few  friends, 


1.1 1 


:  i 


!ji  vi 


.i1 


■U 


r'; 


A 


ii 


i  5 


}i        1:1 


f  ii- 


128 

and  before  tlic  governor  and  his  party  had  reached 
iho  wharf,  I  was  bounding  over  the  waves,  at  too 
great  a  distance  to  be  perceived,  and  soon  was 
safely  sailing  in  Britisli  waters.  I  felt  free  and  un- 
restrained, and  as  they  had  rendezvoused  beyond  the 
jurisdiction  of  my  adopted  country,  in  sight  of  the 
Jiritish  force  on  the  island  of  Bois  Blanc,  and  had 
run  up  the  flag  of  Canada,  with  hearty  cheering,  I 
reached  and  joined  the  expedition.  The  sun  was 
bipzing  brilliantly  in  the  lieavens;  all  was  arima- 
tion ;  and  I  then  felt  an  assurance  that  a  prosperous 
termination  awaited  the  imdertaking.  It  was  the 
anniversary  of  the  victory  of  New  Orleans,  and 
Sutherland,  whose  lungs  were  certainly  creditable, 
addressed  the  multitude,  alluding  to  the  day,  the 
cause,  and  concluding  with  the  poetic  declamation, 
that  the  God  of  battles  was  smiling  in  the  sunbeams, 
the  sure  harbinger  of  success.  The  boats  pushed  on 
to  the  attack  of  the  island,  said  to  be  garrisoned  by 
about  three  hundred  men,  Indians,  negroes,  and 
volunteer  militia.  As  we  advanced,  it  was  disco- 
vered that  the  schooner  Ann  was  drifting  out  in(o 
the  lake  ;  her  sails  and  rigging,  being  hastily  got  to- 
gether, were  imperfect,  and  she  seemed  to  be,  as  she 
really  was,  but  little  under  the  control  of  her  helm. 
Her  decks  were  crowded  with  men,  and  the  few 
sailors  who  were  on  board,  appeared  unable  to 
manage  her.  Sutherland  requested  me  to  take  % 
small  skiff,  and  go  on  board,  and  endeavour  to  bring 
her  into  action.  I  did  so ;  and  as  I  passed  the  island 
with  the  few  young  gentlemen  who  volunteered  to 
row  me  out,  we  received  the  first  volley  from  the 
enemy,  and  returned  it  with  cheers,  with  no  per- 
ceptible damage  to  either  side,  the  balls  of  our  as- 
sailants passing  over  us,  and  splashing  in  the  water, 
far  in  our  rear.  The  Ann,  by  this  time,  had  drifted 
into  the  lake,  and  it  occupied'  us  some  three  miles' 
rowing  ere  we  got  on  board  that  famous,  but  unfor- 
tunate vessel,  whose  fate  was  destined  to  constitute 


129 


( 


reached 

1,  at  too 

on   was 

xnd  iin- 

'^ond  the 

t  of  the 

iiid  had 

jering,  I 

un  was 

ai,  ima- 

)sperous 

was  the 

ns,  and 

3ditable, 

lay,  the 

imation, 

nbeams, 

ished  on 

Dned  by 

es,  and 

s  disco- 

)iit  into 

got  to- 

1,  as  she 

r  helm. 

he  few 

ble   to 

take  a 

bring 

island 

ired  to 

)m  the 

[o  per- 

>ur  as- 

I  water, 

drifted 

I  miles' 

limfor- 

stitute 


I 


I 


an  important  event  in  my  personal  history.  By 
tacking  about,  and  talcing  advantage  of  the  evening 
breeze,  we  were  enabled  to  run  between  Bois  Blanc 
and  the  town  of  Maiden,  and  gradually  force  our 
way  up  to  tlie  head  of  the  island.  It  was  expected 
that  the  fort  would  give  us  a  warm  reception ;  and 
as  the  enemy  seemed  strong  on  the  island,  this  run- 
ning of  the  gauntlet  with  a  rickety  schooner,  through 
a  narrow  channel,  with  a  hostile  force  on  both  sides, 
not  more  tlian  twenty  rods  off,  was  not  either  very 
wise  or  very  pleasant ;  but,  as  the  wind  proved,  and 
as  our  vessel  was  stubborn,  no  other  course  was  left 
us  to  pursue,  and  obey  the  orders  that  had  been 
given.  There  were  two  pieces  of  artillery  on  board, 
not  mounted,  but  had  been  merely  thrown  on  deck 
to  be  conveyed  to  the  island.  These  we  arranged 
for  immediate  service,  by  placing  one  on  each  side 
of  the  vessel,  and  making  them  fast  by  means  of 
ropes  to  her  quarters.  We  loaded  them  with  canis- 
ter, and  prepared,  as  well  as  we  could,  for  whatever 
might  occur.  Slowly  moving  closely  to  the  main 
shore,  we  could  observe  the  greatest  excitement 
among  the  inhabitants  and  troops.  The  church  bells 
were  ringing ;  drums  beating ;  officers  galloping  to 
and  fro  along  the  shore,  and  urging  on  crowds  of 
people  to  repel  the  attack,  which  they,  no  doubt,  be- 
lieved our  vessel  was  about  making  on  the  town. 
All  seemed  bustle  and  confusion.  Among  those  on 
shore,  I  discovered  a  well-known  signal  given, 
known  only  to  myself,  that  forbade  any  attempt  I 
might  then  make  at  debarcation,  had  such  been  my 
intention,  or  consistent  with  the  understanding  of 
the  prior  occupation  of  Bois  Blanc.  The  Ann  lay 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  island,  from  the  place 
where  I  had  left  Sutherland  and  the  main  body, 
some  hours  before ;  and  as  the  firing,  which  we 
had  heard  on  our  approach,  had  ceased  for  some 
time,  and  being  ignorant  of  his  movements,  I  con- 
cluded that  he  had  landed   and  taken   possession. 


I 


!H 


) 


n 


i 


'^ 


f, 


■  i 


I 

i  ■ 


;i  •■    ■:■ 


( 


i 


h    ii 


,'V 


"   I 


130 

But  I  was  mistaken.  While  we  lay  imoccupiod  in 
onr  i)osition,  anxious  for  a  breeze  to  sprini^  u|),  a 
lioat  brought  Col.  Dodge  to  us,  with  orders  from 
Sutherland,  to  join  him  at  one  of  the  more  distant 
islands  in  tlie  neighbourhood,  where  the  whole  force 
was  directed  to  bivouack  for  the  night.  This  was 
mortifying  intelligence.  Bois  Blanc  had  evidently 
been  already  abandoned,  and  the  force  concentrated 
at  Maiden.  The  scouts  in  skitfs,  that  had  carefully 
skirted  the  island,  had  observed,  as  the  Ann  was 
ascending  from  the  lake,  many  flying  from  the 
island  to  the  main  shore  ;  and  a  change  in  the  plan, 
which  was  known  to  the  whole  expedition  before 
the  departure  from  Gibraltar,  was  calculated  to 
damp  the  ardour  of  the  men.  Bois  Blanc  was  a 
commanding  position,  and  could  be  made  sufHciently 
strong,  even  by  undisciplined  men,  to  repel  a  force 
thrice  the  number  of  that  engaged  in  its  defence. — 
This  measure  of  Sutherland's  satisfied  me  of  his  un- 
fitness to  command,  and  created  at  the  time  the  im- 
pression, that  he  was  a  blustering  coward,  which  sub- 
sequent events  confirmed  beyond  all  doubt ;  and  I 
have  deeply  regretted  since,  that  I  did  not  assume  the 
responsibility  myself,  and,  with  the  ninety  men  under 
Capt.  Davis,  and  the  crew  of  the  Ann,  take  that  even- 
ing the  possession  of  the  island,  and  which  I  could 
have  maintained  until  the  next  day,  when  the  whole 
force  would  have  joined  me.  But  I  did  not  like,  in 
my  own  person,  to  aflford  the  first  example  of  insubor- 
dination and  disobedience.  Col.  Dodge  was  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Brophy,  who  had  been  designated, 
from  his  former  pursuits,  to  occupy  the  post  of  en- 
gineer to  the  expedition.  Both  these  young  men 
came  from  the  village  of  Monroe,  in  the  state  of 
Michigan ;  the  former  an  American,  the  latter,  by 
birth,  an  Irishman.  Both  were  ardent,  enterprising, 
fearless,  and  devoted  to  the  cause.  After  indicating 
my  compliance  with  the  order,  I  expressed  my  de- 
termination to  force  my  passage  through  the  British 


l;3l 


:upiccl 


in 


ng  up,  a 
ers  from 
re  distant 
lole  force 
This  was 
evidently 
centrated 
carefully 
Ann  was 
Toni    the 
the  plan, 
)n  before 
ulated  to 
ic  was  a 
LifRciently 
3I  a  force 
lefcnce. — 
of  his  un- 
e  the  im- 
^hich  snb- 
and  I 
sume  the 
len  under 
hat  even- 
I  could 
le  whole 
like,  in 
insubor- 
accom- 
signated, 
it  of  en- 
ng  men 
state  of 
itter,  by 
rprising, 
idicating 
my  de- 
British 


chiuincl,  and  fight  my  way  ;i round  Hois  Hlanc,  rather 
tluiu  be  ol)lii,H;(l  to  tack  aliniu,  wiiicli  in  the  condi- 
tion of  the  wind  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  would 
employ  me  until  midiii^lil  in  reaching  the  (luartcrs 
designated.  On  hearing  tins,  both  Dodge  and  IJrophy 
cMgorly  recpiested  to  remain  ud share  in  ''the  sport.'* 
I  had  no  ohjeetion,  and  after  raising  our  anchor,  we 
once  more  set  sail.  The  men  wisre  well  armed 
with  muskets  and  bayonets,  and  chielly  composed 
of  Canadiati  refugees,  were  possessed  of  an  indo- 
mitable spirit,  that  preferred  death  to  surrendiiring. 
I  selected  thirty  of  them,  whom  I  ordered  to  lie 
di)wn  on  the  deck.  The  rest  were  placed  below, 
ready,  on  the  instant,  to  rush  above,  should  necessity 
re<piire.  It  was  evening,  and  twilight  was  rapidly 
ai)proaching.  The  wind  was  blowing  fresh  from 
the  lake,  up  the  river,  but  rather  inclining  to  the 
Canadian  shore.  We  preserved  the  silence  of  sleep 
on  board.  The  lowest  whisper  could  be  heard. 
The  helmsman  steered  directly  towards  the  head  of 
the  island.  As  we  neared  the  town  of  Maiden,  sail- 
ing quietly  along,  we  perceived  the  wharf  and  banks 
lined  with  crowds  of  men,  and  could  almost  hear 
their  breathing.  They  expected  an  attack,  and 
were  ready.  I  saw,  however,  beyond  their  rear 
line,  unnoticed  by  all,  either  on  board  or  on  shore, 
the  friendly  signal,  already  mentioned.  Some  ono 
in  authority,  in  a  loud  voice,  hailed  us  from  the 
shore. 

"  Who  comes  there  ?' 

"None  of  your  business." 

"  What  schooner  is  that  ?  Are  you  friends  or 
foes?" 

'•  Look  at  our  flag,  and  you  will  learn  our  craft 
and  nation." 

"Come  to,  then,  or  we  will  fire  into  you." 

"  File   away,  and  be  d d.     Who  cares  for 


you 


:>j> 


This  very  interesting  colloquy  was  interrupted  by 


it  \ 


^IV     !! 


I! 


.11 


1^    ^:^: 


1  •' 


h       > 


!j 


*  i 


133 

a  volley  of  musketry  from  a  platoon,  which  effected 
nothing,  but  teaching  some  of  us,  who  never  had  be- 
fore scented  a  battle  with  gunpowder,  the  strange 
music  made  by  bullets,  as  they  cut  the  air  in  rapidly 
passing  near  and  over  our  heads.  The  breeze  had 
now  moderated  ;  and,  as  the  current  was  strong  and 
rapid,  our  upward  progress  was  slow,  giving  the 
belligerents  on  shore  time  to  reload  and  re-salute  us, 
as  we  passed  another  street.  Again,  no  damage  was 
done,  save  a  few  apertures  in  our  sails.  We  re- 
turned no  other  answer  as  yet,  but  a  hearty  cheer 
and  a  roll  of  the  drum.  Still  perseveringly  wending 
our  course  up  stream,  a  third  volley  was  poured  into 
us,  from  a  wiiarf  at  a  cross  street,  where,  from  the 
direction  of  our  vessel,  it  seemed  likely  we  were  in- 
tending to  disembark.  The  men  on  board  were 
eager,  now,  as  we  could  see  the  very  eyes  of  our  as- 
sailants, to  return  their  salutes. 

"  Damn  it,  general,  let  us  give  them  a  slap.' 
"  Steady,  men,  and  silence.     Wait  for  your  or- 
ders." 

I  perceived,  as  we  were  drawing  near  a  place 
called  the  "  Queen's  Wharf,"  a  detachment  awaiting 
us ;  and,  at  a  short  distance  above,  the  Lilliputian 
steamer  "  United"  (employed  usually  at  the  ferry 
between  Detroit  and  Windsor,  and  belonging  to  one 
Davenport,  of  amphibious  citizenship,  whose  busi- 
ness leads  him  to  alternate  between  the  duties  of  a 
subject  and  the  pride  of  an  American  citizen)  steal- 
ing out  from  the  shore  above  the  town,  evidently 
designing  to  interrupt  us,  and  intercept  our  passage 
around  the  island.  We  received,  therefore,  the  lire 
from  the  party  at  "  Queen's  Wharf,"  desiring  to  re- 
serve ourselves  for  the  steamer.  This  salute  told. 
One  man  was  struck  in  the  side,  and  disabled ;  and 
another  wounded  by  a  side  shot  in  the  mouth,  ex- 
tracting two  of  his  front  teeth  and  a  portion  of  his 
upper  lip.  Blood  once  shed,  stimulates  the  passions, 
and  rouses  the  wolf  in  manhood.     The  men  were 


-' »- "  ^.-*--iNap«s.TaKiat:w^g;A 


ich  effected 
ver  had  be- 
the  strange 
r  ill  rapidly 
breeze  had 
J  strong  and 

giving  the 
re-salute  us, 
Jamage  was 
Is.  We  re- 
learty  cheer 
^ly  wending 

poured  into 
re,  from  the 
we  were  in- 
board were 
es  of  our  as- 


i  slap.' 
for  your 


or- 


icar  a  place 

int  awaiting 
Lilliputian 
t  the  ferry 

iging  to  one 
hose  busi- 
duties  of  a 

|tizen)  steal- 
,  evidently 
•ur  passage 
re,  the  fire 
liring  to  re- 
salute  told. 
|abled;  and 
mouth,  ex- 
tion  of  his 
|ie  passions, 
men  were 


133 

muttering  their  impatience  in  curses;  and,  as  our 
vessel  was  now  in  a  position  to  bring  one  of  the  guns 
to  bear  directly  upon  the  crowd  on  shore,  I  gave  the 
word,  and  let  slip  this  "dog  of  war."  A  moment 
before,  the  enemy  on  shore  had  cheered,  as  they  saw 
the  steamer  move  out  from  her  hiding-place,  sure  of 
our  capture.  They  cheered  no  more  that  night.  Our 
missiles  had  either  spread  havoc  or  fear.  There 
arose  a  scream  of  agony,  and  all  was  once  more 
quiet.  They  troubled  us  no  more  that  night,  and 
deemed  it  best  to  preserve  a  respectful  distance.  We 
struck  up  Yankee  Doodle,  and  prepared  for  the 
steamer.  But  our  salute  to  the  "  Queen's  Wharf" 
most  mysteriously  altered  the  course  and  designs  of 
the  steamer.  With  all  possible  speed,  she  wheeled 
about,  and  made  up  the  river.  On  turning  round, 
one  of  her  paddle-wheels,  so  great  appeared  the 
consternation  of  those  who  managed  her,  was  per- 
mitted to  back  water,  wheeling  her  round,  so  as  to 
enable  us  to  bring  our  other  gun  to  bear  upon  her 
deck;  which  being  perceived,  she  plied  all  her 
steam,  and  hastened  out  of  reach,  to  our  great 
amusement ;  and  we  followed  slowly  after,  as  if  in 
chase,  but  only  with  the  view  of  turning  the  head 
of  the  island.  We  sent,  or  rather  wasted  one  or  two 
shots  after  her,  which  hastened  her  speed ;  and  she 
made  the  shore  some  distance  above,  at  a  place 
called  the  "  Lime  Kiln ;"  and  her  crew  and  volun- 
teers betook  themselves  to  the  woods.  We  soon 
turned  the  head  of  Bois  Blanc ;  and  in  a  short  time 
discovered,  by  the  watch  fires,  where  Sutherland 
had  bivouacked;  made  it,  and  landed  near  mid- 
night. 


18 


vi! 


II 


\      ' '  'M  't ' 


■fr- 


'I 


1  (           i; 

'i 

1  1-           ■( 

'!•         :/ 

1        i^- 

134 


I   '     ^^ 


U: 


^1    I 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  capture  of  the  Schooner  Ann,  and  fight  at  Fort  Maiden. 

The  encampment  was  shelterless  and  comfortless. 
The  general  had  his  head-quarters  in  a  log  shanty, 
but  the  men,  with  their  arms  piled  up  around,  were 
gathered  about  the  fires ;  some  stretched  upon  the 
earth,  others  warming  themselves,  and  a  few  cook- 
ing provisions ;  but  all  in  the  open  air.  The  night 
was  extremely  cold;  and  yet,  though  destitute  of 
blankets,  and  the  necessary  camp  equipage,  mirth 
and  merriment  prevailed,  and  the  spirit  of  the  expe- 
dition was  unsubdued.  After  formally  reporting 
myself,  there  being  no  accommodation  on  shore,  I 
was  ordered  again  on  board,  and  to  keep  watch  for 
the  enemy.  Bad  as  were  the  quarters  on  board  the 
schooner,  still  the  encampment  was  worse ;  and, 
after  discharging  her  freight  of  barrels  of  provisions 
and  boxes  of  arms,  and  leaving  on  shore  the  greater 
part  of  the  men,  we  again  weighed  anchor,  and 
gently  cruised  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  detach- 
ment on  the  island.  Dodge  and  Brophy,  with  twenty 
men  under  the  command  of  Davis,  and  a  faithful 
French  pilot  at  the  helm,  and  the  crew  of  the  schoo- 
ner, constituted  the  whole  force. 

Cruising  about  all  that  night,  we  ran  up  and  down 
both  sides  of  Bois  Blanc,  without  any  interruption 
from  our  enemy,  who  seemed  to  have  retired  to  a  re- 
pose necessary  to  all,  in  peace  or  war,  but  which  at 
this  time  was  denied  us.  Near  morning,  as  (he 
breeze  freshened  up,  our  frail  bark  became  unma- 
nageable, resulting  as  much  from  her  make  and  very 
imperfect  rigging,  as  from  the  paucity  of  the  nauti- 
cal skill  of  our  wearied  crew  ;  we  ran  aground  on 
the  lower  part  of  the  island,  near  the  British  light- 


Fort  Maiden. 

d  comfortless, 
a  log  shanty, 
around,  were 
hed  upon  the 
i  a  few  cook- 
r.     The  night 
I  destitute  of 
uipage,  mirth 
t  of  the  expe- 
illy  reporting 
n  on  shore,  I 
eep  watch  for 
;  on  board  the 
worse ;   and, 
of  provisions 
re  the  greater 
anchor,  and 
f  the  detach- 
,  with  twenty 
,nd  a  faithful 
of  the  schoo- 

|up  and  down 
interruption 
[etired  to  a  re- 
Ibut  which  at 


»ing, 


as 


(he 


fccame  un  ma- 
lake  and  very 
lof  the  nauti- 
aground  on 
British  light- 


135 

liouse,  and  after  much  difficulty  succeeded  in  getting 
afloat.  Had  there  been  but  a  few  men  posted  here, 
every  one  of  us  might  have  been  picked  oflT  with  the 
greatest  ease.  But  our  security  and  preservation 
evidently  resulted  from  their  having  completely  aban- 
doned the  island  the  evening  before.  That  we 
might  then  have  triumphed,  was  equally  clear,  from 
the  evidences  they  left  behind  them,  of  their  hasty 
flight  and  trepidation.  In  their  hurry,  they  had  de- 
serted their  suppers  untouched,  their  colours  and 
camp  equipage.  As  daylight  dawned,  we  were 
laying  off"  the  head  of  the  island,  directly  opposite 
the  fort.  As  soon  as  perceived,  the  garrison  com- 
mencing firing  upon  us  :  the  compliment  was  re- 
turned, and  the  exchange  of  salutes  continued  for 
some  time,  without  any  perceptible  damage  to  either 
side.  We  were  new  hands  at  this  kind  of  business, 
and  our  fellow-creatures  at  the  fort  either  were  very 
poor  marksmen,  or  mercifully  reluctant  in  the  shed- 
ding of  human  blood.  On  discovering  that  Bois 
Blanc  had  been  evacuated,  I  sent  word  to  Suther- 
land, and  about  ten  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the 
9th,  he  crossed  over  from  his  encampment,  with 
about  ninety  men,  in  scows  and  skifls ;  and  as  they 
made  but  poor  headway  in  this  kind  of  water  craft, 
we  went  to  their  aid  and  towed  them  to  the  island. 
The  Ann  took  position  between  the  island  and  the 
main  shore.  Wearied  with  the  exertions  of  the  past 
night,  and  with  sentinels  posted  to  give  the  alarm 
when  necessary,  we  embraced  an  opportunity  for  re- 
pose, while  the  men  on  the  island  were  busied  in 
making  preparations  for  defence,  or  such  offensive 
operations  as  might  be  rendered  favourable  by  ap- 
proaching events.  Toward  evening  the  wind  had 
risen,  and  blew  directly  on  the  Canada  shore.  Or- 
ders came  from  Sutherland,  directing  my  attention 
to  a  craft,  which  he  apprehended  might  be  used  by 
the  force  at  Maiden,  for  a  transportation  to  the  island, 
and  in  case  of  the  movement  being  cfttemptcd,  desir- 


i!  i 


'  |5 


\r. 


I 


i 


n  m 

Iff      !■ 


' )     ■ 

'i      I 


■I'   1 

h  i 


I. 

'ijii' 


iif 


I'i,      ' 


"I  ' 


■■I 


:^ 


:"^ 


'?■  ; 


^11 


136 

ing  that  we  would  sink  her.  We  again  weiglied 
anchor,  and  the  saiHng  master  beheving  that  he  could 
pilot  the  Ann,  in  the  gale  that  was  then  blowing,  to 
the  foot  of  the  island,  we  once  more  made  sail  under 
rather  unpropitious  circumstances.  As  we  neared 
the  town,  volley  after  volley  was  poured  into  us 
with  considerable  effect,  and  with  more  skill  than  the 
night  before,  and  with  the  manifest  cruel  determina- 
tion of  sacrificing  life.  It  was  no  boys'  play  now. 
Many  of  our  men  were  wounded,  and  considerable 
damage  done  to  the  rigging.  Captain  Davis,  who 
was  holding  on  to  the  anchor,  was  shot  in  the  wrist 
and  groin,  of  which  he  afterwards  died,  and  away 
went  the  anchor.  The  enemy  aimed  with  fatal  pre- 
cision at  the  helmsman,  and  he  fled  below,  leaving 
the  boat  to  her  own  will,  and  as  the  down-hawls  had 
been  cut  away  by  the  shot,  the  sails  could  not  be 
managed.  Unskilled  as  mariners,  confusion  reigned 
among  us ;  and  the  schooner  '^^  rifting  with  the  ice,  we 
were  in  a  few  moments  aground  on  the  main  shore, 
our  deck  presenting  an  inclined  front  to  the  irritated 
and  triumphant  marksmen  of  the  enemy.  Dodge, 
Brophy,  myself,  and  a  few  others,  determined  to  sell 
our  lives  at  as  dear  a  rate  as  possible,  and  still  hop- 
ing that  the  force  on  the  island  would  come  to  our 
rescue,  maintained  for  a  while  our  position  on  the 
deck,  and  with  much  labour  brought  our  cannon 
to  bear  upon  the  sl^ore.  Another  volley,  and  a  rush 
to  board  us.  The  inoon  was  shining  bright,  and  we 
were  easily  seen  and  marked  by  their  riflemen,  while 
they  were  concealed  behind  the  fences  and  the  trees 
of  an  orchard  close  at  hand.  Dodge  was  wounded 
in  the  eye,  and  fell,  as  I  then  thought,  dead  at  my 
feet.  Brophy  was  soon  after  disabled  by  a  wound. 
A  little  boy,  a  Canadian  refugee,  engaged  in  bring- 
ing us  loaded  muskets,  was  killed  in  the  act, fell  over- 
board, and  his  body  found  on  shore  the  next  morning. 
All  around  me  were  soon  disabled.  The  little  time 
I  had  to  think  disclosed  my  probable  fate,  in  case  of 


137 

surrender.     No  other  alternative  seemed  left,  but  a 
preferable  death  on  the  spot ;  and  in  the  act  of  dis- 
charging the  gun  myself,  I  received  a  blow  on  the 
head  that  felled  me  to  the  deck  and  down  the  hatch- 
way to  the   hold.     Stunned  and  senseless,  I  was 
dragged  out  by  the  victors,  and  placed  in  custody  for 
future  disposition.    On  recovering,  I  found  myself  and 
others  in  the  charge  of  Lieut.  Baby,  who  protected  me 
from  insult,  and  who  was  aided  in  this  manly  duty  by  a 
Captain  Ruydger, and  Colonel  Ratclifre,the  latter  say- 
ing in  my  hearing,  that  we  were  prisoners  of  war,  had  ^ 
conducted  like  brave  men,  and  must  not  be  abused, 
but  be  handed  over  to  the  proper  authorities  for  judi- 
cial treatment.     I  vvas  taken  to  the  hospital,  to  which 
had  been  previously  carried  Dodge,  Brophy,  Davis, 
Anderson,  Smith,  and  Thayer,  all  seriously  wounded. 
After  experiencing  much  cruel  and  unmanly  treat- 
ment, and  robbed,  or,  to  speak  according  to  the  circum- 
stances in  which  I  \\^^'s  placed,  a  prisoner  of  Avar, 
deprived  of  my  watch  and  money :  my  wounds  were 
dressed  by  myself,  aided  by  a  poor  Irishwoman,  who 
kindly  brought  me  water.     Fatigued  in  body,  and 
weak  from  loss  of  blood,  nature  and  a  strong  consti- 
tution came  to  my  relief.   I  stretched  myself  upon  the 
floor,  and  enjoyed   a  refreshing  and   invigorating 
sleep,  from  which  I  was  awakened  by  a  kick  from 
the  valiant  John  Prince,  who  had  hurried  post  haste 
to  Maiden  on  learning  our  capture  and  defeat.     His 
friendly  salute  aroused  me.     He  was  armed  to  the 
teeth.     A  brace  of  pistols  and  tomahawk  graced  his 
girdle  :  on  his  back  was  slung  a  double-barrelled  gun, 
a  long  cavalry  sword  dangled  at  his  side,  and  a  wide 
mouthed  blunderbuss  in  his  right  hand ;  his  whole 
appearance  betokened  triumphant  malignity  and  de- 
termined vengeance.     I  had  raised  myself  from  my 
recumbent  posture,  and  was  reclining  on  my  elbow, 
when  I  perceived  that  this  hero  was  again  about  to 
inflict  upon  me  another  assault  with  his  foot ;  but, 
as  I  sprung  up  rather  quickly,  the  man-at-arms  drew 

12* 


•I' 


V  Ik 


:l. 


I'    r 


■ii.i 


\*) 


^s      I 


I.     \ 


I 


i    ! 


n 


ili 


138 

back,  and  ordered  the  Indians  who  had  accompanied 
him,  to  seize  and  lie  me.  In  my  weak  and  ex- 
hausted state,  I  could  make  no  resistance,  and  had  to 
submit.  Prince  tiien  approached  Col.  Brophy,  and 
with  a  liglit  examined  his  features,  suddenly  exclaim- 
ing,u 

"  Ha  !  Monsieur  Dufort,  have  I  got  you  too  ?'' 

"  My  name  is  not  Dufort,"  responded  Brophy. 

"  Indeed,  eh  !  we  will  soon  see."  Then  pulling 
from  his  pocket  a  small  book,  which  contained  a  de- 
scription of  Dufort's  features  and  person,  furnished 
probably  by  some  of  his  spies  in  Detroit,  he  began 
scanning  that  and  then  Brophy,  who  eyed  him 
very  coolly,  till  muttering  to  himself,  and  evidently 
pleased,  he  smilingly  said,  with  an  effort  at  sarcasm, 
"Well,  Monsieur  Dufort,  since  you  are  to  be  incog- 
nito, and  do  not  wish  to  answer  to  your  real  name, 
will  you  condescend,  sir,  to  tell  us  by  what  name 
you  wish  to  be  designated  ?" 

"  I  have  told  you  once,  sir,  that  my  name  is  not 
Dufort,  but  you  will  probably  find  me  as  good  a 
man." 

"  Oh,  very  well,  monsieur,  very  probable ;  will  it 
please  you,  sir,  to  get  up  ?" 

He  next  examined  Walter  Chase,  whom  lie 
thought  to  be  another  Canadian,  for  whom  a  reward 
had  been  offered  by  the  government.  He  then 
ordered  us  to  march.  The  doctor  begged  he  Avould 
not  send  us  from  the  hospital  that  night,  as  he  could 
not  be  answerable  for  the  consequences,  if  it  was 
done. 

"  Pshaw !  I  shall  take  them  to  the  fort.  You  need 
not  trouble  yourself  as  to  the  ill  effect  it  may  pro- 
duce on  their  health,  as  I  shall  hang  both  the  Yankee 
brigands  in  the  morning." 

We  were  unable  to  walk,  and  told  him  we  would 
not — that  he  would  have  to  carry  us;  and  as  for  the 
hanging,  it  was  our  humble  opinion,  despite  of  the 
magnitude  of  his  power,  that  we  should  both  have. 


( 


I 


•-■Utritiini-  ■>  »  .1 


■ilrVifei.  f.ifc.ri. 


ccompanied 
ak  and  ex- 
,  and  had  to 
3rophy,  and 
ily  exclaim- 

m  too  ?" 
Brophy. 
hen  pulUng 
tained  a  de- 
n,  furnished 
t,  he  began 
eyed  him 
d  evidently 
at  sarcasm, 
to  be  incog- 
real  name, 
what  name 


tiame  is  not 
as  good  a 

)le;  will  it 

whom  he 
a  reward 
He  then 
he  would 
IS  he  could 
,  if  it  was 

You  need 

may  pro- 

hc  Yankee 

kve  would 
las  for  the 
lite  of  the 
loth  have 


139 

the  honour  of  attending  his  U  neral  first.  We  were 
dragged  out;  but  before  we  did  go,  notwithstanding 
the  threat  of  Prince,  and  the  wild  looks  of  the  In- 
dians, the  poor  woman  made  her  way  through 
them,  and  furnished  us  with  the  best  drink  she 
could  find,  and  the  best  beverage  for  us,  some  vine- 
gar and  water. 

"  Who  is  this  woman,  who  makes  herself  so  offi- 
cious?" demanded  Prince  of  the  doctor. 

"  Is  it  me  you  mane,  Mr.  Prince  ?  in  troth,  you 
needn't  be  after  troubling  yourself  axing  a  thing 
that  every  jintleman  and  lady  in  town  can  tell  you  : 
and  do  you  take  a  poor  body's  advice ;  don't  be 
taking  too  much  this  night,  and  be  doing  what  you 
oughtn't  to  do ;  for  sure,  them  are  bould  men,  and 
have  their  friends :"  and  away  walked  our  friend. 

We  were  then  thrown  into  a  cart,  to  be  conveyed 
to  the  fort;  and  when  about  halfway,  the  cart  stop- 
ped, and  Prince  went  into  a  house,  where  he  re- 
mained probably  a  half-hour,  leaving  us  sitting 
there,  (and  myself  without  hat  or  cloak,  for  he 
would  not  allow  us  time  to  bring  any  thing  from 
the  hospital,)  exposed,  our  clothes  wet,  and  the  air 
intensely  cold ;  and  amid  the  jeers  and  taunts  of  all 
the  negroes,  Indians,  and  tories,  who  crowded  around 
us,  with  their  flattering  encomiums  on  the  American 
nation  in  general,  and  the  city  of  Detroit  in  particu- 
lar. Prince  came  at  last,  and  as  wc  moved  towards 
the  fort,  the  driver  asked  if  he  was  to  go  where  the 
other  men  were  taken. 

"  No,  no  ;  to  the  black  hole  !" 

Prince  and  a  blackguard-looking  fellow  entered 
and  examined  the  premises,  to  see,  he  said,  if  it  was 
strong  enough  to  keep  us  until  morning,  when  ho 
Avould  contrive  to  get  rid  of  us.  W«  were  then 
taken  into  another,  one  by  one,  and  again  examined, 
being  stripped  almost  naked,  to  see  if  we  had  any 
concealed  weapons;  and  again  my  pocket  under- 
went a  still  more  rigid  examination.     Some  small 


'  a 


1 


li- 


1  i! 


140 


I       ■'! 


'i',1' 


change  was  found,  with  a  gold  piece  and  a  snuff- 
box, gold  pencil-case,  and  a  small  pocket-case  of 
surgical  instruments,  together  with  a  small  box  of 
percussion  caps  for  my  pistols,  and  some  other  small 
matters.  These  soon  changed  owners;  Prince  taking 
charge  himself  of  the  valuables,  and  handing  over  the 
caps  to  the  provost  marshal,  to  be  used  as  evidence 
of  my  hostile  intentions. 

Colonel  Brophy  next  followed ;  but  having  some 
idea  of  what  was  going  on,  contrived,  in  a  manner 
highly  creditable  to  his  ingenuity,  to  secrete  his  wal- 
let, containing  about  seventy  dollars. 

Poor  Chase,  having  no  watches,  had  been  at  first 
too  well  fleeced  to  give  any  further  trouble ;  so  we 
were  locked  in  the  black  hole,  where  we  quartered 
on  the  floor,  seats  being  too  great  a  luxury.  Here 
was  a  fine  place  to  philosophize  on  the  change  which 
had  come  over  the  spirit  of  our  dream,  and  console 
ourselves  with  the  reflection  that  we  had  performed 
our  duty,  and  if  they  would  hang  us  in  the  morning, 
others  would  be  hung  in  retaliation.  It  was  rather 
a  poor  consolation;  but  having  embarked  in  the 
cause  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  consequences, 
we  concluded  that  we  had  no  business  to  complain, 
and  determining  that  our  conduct  should  be  such  as 
to  neither  disgrace  ourselves  or  our  country,  we  fell 
asleep. 

The  sufferings  of  that  night  can  never  be  effaced 
from  my  remembrance,  although  it  was  but  the  pre- 
lude to  months  of  what  ordinary  constitutions  would 
have  sunk  under.  Lying  iii  a  dungeon,  about  ten  feet 
square,  with  our  clothes  before  wet,  now  a  solid 
sheet  of  ice,  on  the  cold  floor,  without  cloak,  blanket, 
or  covering,  in  a  night  called  the  coldest  of  the  sea- 
son ;  fatigue  and  numbness  brought  oil  sleep,  from 
which  when  I  awoke,  1  found  one  of  my  comrades 
insensible,  I  feared  dead.  However,  with  much  dif- 
ficulty. Chase  and  myself,  by  dint  of  rubbing  and 
chafing  his  limbs,  restored  him  to  animation ;  the 


mtmrn 


141 

pulse  began  to  beat,  and  we  wore  rewarded  lor  our 
exertions  by  seeing  him  restored  to  life.  In  the 
morning  the  jailor  opened  the  door  and  threw  us  in 
a  small  loaf  of  bread,  which  had  lain  as  a  sign,  pro- 
bably, in  some  bake-house  window,  for  months.  Wo 
asked  for  water,  which  was  refused. 

About  noon  the  surgeon  visited  us,  and  with  him 
the  commanding  otiicer,  who  inquired  of  him  whether 
we  were  "able  to  undergo  the  journey."  He  an- 
swered that  he  thought  not;  when  we  asked  "where 
to  ?"  and  were  answered,  "  Sandwich,  or  liondon." 
We  flattering  ourselves  a  rescue  might  be  effected, 
I  told  him  I  was  able  to  undertake  any  journey  to 
get  out  of  the  infernal  hole  we  were  in.  He  then 
said  they  were  every  moment  expecting  an  attack, 
and  he  should  be  obliged  to  send  us  off  to  have  us 
out  of  the  way.  I  asked  leave  to  write  to  my  family, 
to  satisfy  them  I  was  alive,  to  which  he  assented, 
and  directed  that  we  should  start  as  soon  as  teams 
could  be  provided  and  a  guard  detailed.  I  then 
asked  him  for  my  cloak,  hat,  and  to  be  allowed  to 
have  a  change  of  linen  out  of  my  trunk,  to  which  I 
believe  he  would  have  consented,  but  the  other  offi- 
cers of  the  militia  and  magistrates  would  not;  they 
had  already  plundered  them,  confiscated  them  as  a 
prize,  and  converted  them  to  their  own  use.  An  in- 
dividual present,  whom  I  had  often  befriended  in  De- 
troit, brought  me  a  cap,  for  which  I  gave  him  a  check 
for  its  value  on  the  State  Bank  of  Michigan,  not 
wishing  to  take  it  from  him  as  a  gift,  from  expressions 
I  had  heard  him  make  the  night  before. 

All  things  in  preparation,  we  were  tied  with  ropes 
around  the  body,  and  then  together,  two  and  two, 
again  making  on  this  occasion  Brophy  and  myself 
twin  brothers  in  affliction,  and  then  thrown  into  the 
bottom  of  a  waggon,  amid  the  rejoicings  of  the 
motley  assemblage  of  all  colours,  of  which  Maiden  ia 
composed.  There  were  ten  waggons.  Two  tied 
together  in  each,  and  four  of  their  volunteers,  with 


IV 


»'l 


f 


ill      1 


I 

It 


h1(     I 


142 

loaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets  to  guard  each. 
There  were  but  fii'teen  prisoners,  therefore  in  our 
waggon  were  placed  three,  leaving  three  waggons 
full  of  soldiers,  with  an  addition  of  twelve  of  the 
St.  Thomas  volunteer  cavalry  to  ride  along  side  and 
go  ahead  as  scouts. 

It  was  three  o'clock  before  all  was  ready,  when 
the  scouts  came  in  and  reported  the  route  was  clear. 
The  word  was  then  given  to  march,  Avith  injunc- 
tions that  on  the  slightest  appearance  of  tlie  people 
rising  to  rescue  us,  to  put  us  instantly  to  death.  And 
with  this  consoling  remark  we  bade  adieu  to  Fort 
Maiden. 


!     i 


CHAPTER  XII. 


t|:' 


From  Maiden  to  departure  from  London. 

There  is  nothing  but  ups  and  downs  in  this  life, 
says  the  vulgar  adage.  Our  journey  in  open  wag- 
gons,  without  even  straw  to  recline  upon,  over  the 
frozen  ruts  of  the  most  execrable  of  roads,  enforced 
a  lively  sense  of  its  truth. 

Whether  they  wtre  afraid  of  our  rescue,  I  cannot 
say ;  but  they  hurried  us  forward  through  by-roads, 
during  the  whole  of  the  first  night.  While  they 
stopped  for  a  relay  of  horses,  I  was  somewhat 
pleased  to  discover,  that  the  officer  who  had  charge 
of  the  escort  was  an  individual  who  had  formerly 
resided  in  Detroit,  and  indeed  had  only  left  that  city 
a  few  weeks  previous.  With  this  man  I  had  always 
maintained  the  closest  terms  of  intimacy  and  friend- 
ship. He  had  for  a  considerable  period  studied  his 
profession  in  the  office  of  my  deceased  partner,  the 
late  Dr.  Fay,  and  the  most  friendly  relations  had 
always  existed  between  his  father-in-law.  Judge 


143 


McDonald,  and  myself.  These  circumstances  alone 
might  naturally  induce  the  liope,  that  where  the  du- 
ties of  his  new  office  would  allow,  he  would  have 
been  disposed  to  exercise  some  moderation  towards 
me  individually.  I  had  frequently  befriended  him. 
I  had  thought  it  my  duty  to  aid  a  young  man  strug- 
gling forward  in  his  profession,  particularly  one  who 
had  been  the  pupil  of  my  friend.  When  extrava- 
gance had  involved  him  in  pecuniary  didiculties,  my 
purse  and  word  saved  his  little  furniture  from  the 
grasp  of  the  sheriff.  Discarded  by  his  father-in-law, 
who  would  no  longer  maintain  him  as  a  pensioner 
on  his  bounty,  I  had  for  months  saved  him  from 
literally  starving.  He  had  therefore  always  con- 
sidered me  his  stanchest  friend.  I  congratulated  my 
comrade  and  myself,  that  we  had  fallen  into  such 
good  hands.  But  far,  very  far,  was  I  mistaken.  I 
had  reckoned  without  my  host.  This  most  ungrate- 
ful wretch,  this  Dr.  Breakenridge,  the  son  of  an  old 
revolutionary  tory,.\vho  had  fled  from  the  United 
States  during  our  struggle  for  freedom,  and  settled 
in  Canada,  was  well  worthy  of  his  sire.  Instead  of 
extending  to  me  any  kindness,  he  went  even  beyond 
the  instructions  of  his  employer,  Prince.  Had  we 
been  the  most  degraded  of  our  species,  he  could  not 
have  treated  us  worse.  Every  insult,  every  indig- 
nity which  the  most  dastardly  malignity  could  sug- 
gest, he  continued  for  three  days  to  inflict  upon  us, 
until  his  own  men,  disgusted  with  his  brutality,  be- 
came mutinous,  and  threatened  that,  if  he  did  not 
desist,  they  would  bayonet  him  on  the  spot.  Although 
we  were  unarmed,  surrounded  by  a  guard  of  forty- 
five  armed  men,  and  bound  so  strictly,  that  they 
were  forced  to  lift  us  in  and  out  of  the  waggons, 
with  limbs  benumbed  by  the  tightness  of  the  cords, 
yet  this  cowardly  wretch  feared  to  approach  us  even 
in  this  condition  without  his  loaded  pistols  in  his 
hands.  With  threats,  the  coward's  weapon,  he  was 
ever  ready:  he  even  had  the  unmanliness  to  strike 


I 


N 


■if 


it  r 


^1 11 


i} 


-I 


I  !l! 


P' 


'r 


Kfif 


144 

one  of  our  men  with  his  sword,  for  want  of  activity 
in  (loscondin^  iVoni  tiio  waggon. 

Wc  liad  sulfert'd  mucii  i!i  silence ;  hnt  when  he 
attempted  to  repeat  his  })low  upon  a  man  hemmilx'd 
as  nuich  hy  his  age  as  honds,  I  could  no  longer  en- 
(hu'e  it.  1  spoke  :  our  eyes  met.  lie  cowered  be- 
neath my  glance,  "liaise  hut  your  arm  again,"  I 
cried,  "  and,  unarmed  as  I  am,  you  will  find  cause  to 
repent  it."  Exclamations  of  shame  !  shame  !  from 
the  soldiers,  who,  poor  duped  wretches  as  they  were, 
had  some  remaining  sparks  of  human  feeling,  com- 
pelled him  to  desist.  When  we  stopped  at  night, 
such  marked  dissatisfaction  prevailed  among  the 
guards,  that  the  officer  next  in  grade  had  to  take 
conmiand  of  the  escort. 

At  every  place  we  stopped,  we  were  huddled  to- 
gether in  a  single  apartment,  with  a  guard,  generally 
six,  within  the  room,  and  d  sentinel  en  the  outside, 
at  everv  window  and  door.  None  were  allowed  to 
speak  to  us.  When  provision^  were  given  to  us, 
we  were  deprived  of  the  use  of  a  knife,  lest,  armed 
with  that,  wc  might  rush  upon  our  guards,  over- 
power them,  and  make  our  escape.  Tlic  people  of 
the  houses  at  which  we  stopped,  were  treated  in  the 
most  rulfian-like  manner.  Every  thing  that  was 
wanted,  was  seized  upon,  without  the  slightest  apo- 
logy. In  a  tavern,  if  the  bar  was  closed,  it  was 
broken  open,  and  whatever  they  demanded,  distri- 
buted among  the  men.  They  were  compelled  to 
provide  food  for  all — grain  for  the  horses,  in  short, 
ev^ery  thing :  though  the  poorest  family  was  thereby 
deprived  of  their  last  morsel,  it  was  taken  in  the 
queen's  name.  A  receipt  was  given  to  the  poor 
landlord  for  payment;  and,  as  the  persons  keeping 
houses  of  entertainment  were  generally  reformers,  it 
seemed  to  be  considered  as  only  quartering  on  the 
enemy.  None  dared  refuse :  if  they  did,  it  was 
taken  by  force ;  and  although,  at  that  time,  it  was 
dangerous   to  murmur,  yet  there  were  still  found 


I' 
I 

•J 


II 

■  f.  ij 

.11 


1  -i , 


115 


losed,  it  was 


somo  spirits  bold  (Mionqli  to  dispute  tlic  right  of 
these  loyal  rohhors,  to  tukc  tli(;  bread  from  the 
mouths  of  their  childn'ii.  Sueh,  however,  without 
the  forms  of  law,  were  hurried  to  i»rison,  as  disaf- 
fected persons;  where  they  remained,  without 
cluiuce  of  redress,  until,  by  a  saerificc  of  property, 
tliey  could  induce  some  inliuential  tory  neighbours 
to  interest  themselves  in  procuring  their  liberation. 
Incredible  as  this  may  appear,  many  such  instances 
came  to  my  own  knowledge,  and,  indeed,  occurred 
under  my  own  eye  ;  some  of  which  will  be  detailed 
in  their  proper  place. 

After  a  tedious  journey  of  five  days,  and  I  may 
L^ay  nights,  through  a  country  which,  notwithstand- 
in^r  the  season,  and  our  forlorn  situation,  attracted 
our  constant  admiration,  by  its  singular  beauty,  we 
reached  the  apparently  flourishing  village  of  Lon- 
don, on  the  river  Thames. 

Our  route  had  been,  for  the  most  part,  >ii  the 
shores  of  the  lake,  through  unfrequented  ways,  and 
along  the  valley  of  that  stream.  The  wilderness 
had  only  been  invaded  here  and  there,  at  long  in- 
tervals, by  the  hand  of  cultivation.  Yet  the  variety 
and  beauty  of  the  scenery  lured  our  minds  from 
dwelling  upon  our  condition.  We  occupied  our- 
selves in  picturing  the  contrast  which  a  land  so  fa- 
voured by  nature  would  present,  in  the  hands  of  a 
population  free,  independent,  and  enterprising,  like 
our  own.  Our  future  presented  no  pleasing  prospect. 
We  cheered  ourselves,  however,  with  the  hope,  that 
we  might  yet  see  the  day,  when  its  colonial  vassal- 
age should  give  place  to  a  free  and  independent 
state — when  the  swarm  of  petty  officials,  who  de- 
voured the  substance  of  the  oppressed  cultivator  of 
the  soil,  would  be  swept  away  in  the  progress  of 
republican  institutions — and  when  the  forests  should 
become  cultured  fields,  whose  fertility  would  re- 
ward the  labour  of  the  independent  husbandman. 
Many  a  weary  mile  was  soothed  by  reveries  like 

13 


.; 


.f. 


I) 


1  i 


146 

these ;  and  if  we  occasionally  recurred  too  painfully 
to  our  situation,  some  new  or  striking  feature  of  the 
landscape  would  divert  our  reflections  and  again 
lull  us,  for  a  while,  into  forgetfulness  of  our  misery. 

As  far  as  we  could  judge,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country,  and  of  the  little  villages  where  they  crowded 
to  see  us  pass,  did  not  view  us  as  enemies.  Com- 
miseration was  marked  upon  their  countenances; 
and  often  did  we  see  the  tear  trickling  down  the 
cheek  of  women,  who  could  not  refrain  their  feel- 
ings at  the  severity  of  our  treatment  by  those  whom 
they  considered  the  "enemies  and  oppressors  of  their 
country. ''  Many  a  low  muttered  prayer  could  we 
hear  offered  for  our  deliverance;  and  curses,  not 
loud,  but  deep,  on  the  brutality  we  experienced. 

On  arriving  at  London,  we  were  taken  to  the  jail, 
which  was  strongly  guarded.  From  the  numbers 
which  crowded  to  the  grated  windows,  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  those  who  were  to  be  their  fellows,  we 
perceived  that  the  prison  was  crowded.  After  being 
conducted  into  a  portion  of  the  building  which  we 
conjectured  to  be  the  court-room,  we  were  counted 
over,  and  delivered  up  to  the  commandant  of  the 
place. 

The  commitment  of  the  board  of  magistrates  of 
the  western  district,  at  Maiden,  was  accompanied  by 
a  private  letter  from  Prince  to  Colonel  Askins,  in 
which  I  was  honoured  with  a  particular  notice. 
From  the  treatment  I  had  already  experienced  from 
that  being,  the  reader  may  conjecture  that  his  re- 
marks were  not  calculated  to  meliorate  my  condi- 
tion. We  were  marched  down  to  the  cells,  which 
constituted  the  lower  part  of  the  building,  appropri- 
ated to  the  worst  class  of  felons.  After  being  un- 
bound, I  was  taken  out  of  the  cell  in  which  I  had 
first  been  placed,  that  I  miglit  be  separated  from  my 
friend  Brophy.  This  was  indeed  a  severe  trial  of 
my  fortitude.  He  was  the  only  one  with  whom  I 
could  have  a  feeling  in  common.     A  gentleman  ot 


'?'        ! 


li 


too  painfully 
lature  of  the 
3  and  again 

our  misery, 
itants  of  the 
tiey  crowded 
nies.  Com- 
luntenances ; 
ig  down  the 
n  their  feel- 
those  whom 
ssors  of  their 
er  could  we 

curses,  not 
3rienced. 
n  to  the  jail, 
he  numbers 
5,  to  catch  a 

fellows,  we 

After  being 
tg  which  we 
ere  counted 

dant  of  the 

gistrates  of 

[mpanied  by 

Askins,  in 

liar  notice. 

lienced  from 

Ithat  his  re- 

my  condi- 

;ells,  which 

,  appropri- 

being  un- 

hich  I  had 

id  from  my 

Te  trial  of 

h  whom  I 

Intleman  ot 


147 

firm  mind,  cultivated  intellect,  and  congenial  senti- 
ments; with  his  companionship  and  conversation, 
the  tedium  of  long  days  and  nights,  shut  from  the 
light  of  heaven,  would  in  somcj  measure  have  been 
alleviated.  It  was  one  pang  the  more.  I  was  thrust 
into  a  small  cell  with  three  others.  This  cell  was 
about  seven  feet  square ;  and  in  that  narrow  space 
were  confined  four  human  beings.  The  only 
ventilation  was  through  a  small  diamond-shaped 
hole  in  the  door,  through  which  the  scanty  fare 
which  the  prison  rules  allowed  was  handed  to  us. 

The  only  place  for  relieving  the  calls  of  nature 
was  a  corner  of  our  cell,  and  for  many  days  and 
nights  together  we  endured  the  suffocating  odour  of 
its  fetid  exhalations.  Day  and  night  were  undistin- 
guishable  to  us,  except  for  a  few  hours  of  the  after- 
noon, when  the  descending  sun  would  cast  a  slanting 
ray  through  the  grated  window  of  the  corridor,  which 
formed  the  passage  between  the  double  range  of 
cells;  or  when  the  jailer  or  assistant  would  come 
his  rounds  with  a  lighted  candle,  to  distribute  our 
daily  bread.  Occasionally,  as  the  prison  became 
very  crowded,  and  all  were  employed,  the  jailer's 
wife  would  take  his  place  in  supplying  our  wants, 
and  hand  our  food  through  the  hole  in  our  door. 
True  to  the  compassionate  nature  of  her  sex, — the 
elevated  trait  of  her  character  in  all  times,  condi- 
tions, and  countries, — she  would  leave  me  a  piece 
of  candle,  and  sometimes  let  me  have  a  book,  to 
while  away  the  time.  For  the  most  part,  however, 
we  were  doomed  to  darkness;  and  though  we  could 
not  see  each  other's  faces,  we  strove  by  conversation 
to  cheer  each  other,  and  mutually  endeavoured  to 
sustain  the  sinking  hopes  and  spirits  of  his  fellows. 
Every  day  we  expected  to  hear  of  an  attack  upon 
the  place,  and  our  consequent  deliverance.  One  of 
the  prisoners  prided  himself  upon  being  an  infallible 
expounder  of  dreams ;  and  as  the  rest  had  little  else 
to  do  but  dream,  they  kept  him  employed  in  their 


f 


I 


MS 


•r-    I  : 


i     Mi 


t    i 


interpretation.  One  peculiarity  of  his  system  de- 
serves mention.  No  matter  what  the  subject  of  the 
dream,  it  always  was  auspicious,  and  a  token  of  a 
speedy  deliverance  from  captivity.  Whai  men  de- 
sire, they  readily  believe ;  and  when  I  discovered 
the  faith  which  some  of  them  had  in  their  dreams, 
I  encouraged  the  delusion;  and  the  good  hopes 
which  the  interpreter  excited,  realized  my  expecta- 
tions, kept  them  from  sinking  into  despondency,  and 
preserved  their  health. 

Reports  arriving  of  some  new  attacks,  more  leni- 
ency was  extended  to  us.  For  the  benefit  of  our 
health.  Col.  Askins  allowed  us  the  privilege  of  walk- 
ing in  the  corridor.  Some  of  the  volunteers  who 
had  been  present  at  our  capture,  had  now  reached 
London.  They  magnified  their  prowess  in  the  con- 
test with  such  desperadoes — detailed  the  progress  of 
the  affair — the  manner  in  which  we  had  fought — 
the  bravery  we  had  displayed,  and,  of  consequence, 
their  claim  to  superior  valour,  in  our  defeat  and  cap- 
ture. Nearly  fifty  of  them  claimed  the  honour  of 
having  been  first,  or  second,  in  boarding  our  "  man- 
of-war."  The  curiosity  of  the  inhabitants  was  thus 
excited  to  see  us;  and  the  colonel  commanding,  hav- 
ing a  room,  as  an  office,  in  the  same  building.  Col. 
Brophy  and  myself  were  frequently  invited  up  from 
the  cells,  under  the  pretence  of  allowing  us  to  breathe 
a  purer  air.  The  real  object,  however,  was,  that  the 
aristocratic  portion  of  the  population — ^the  friends  of 
Col.  Askins,  of  course — might  be  gratified  by  a  sight 
of  us.  Many  of  them  were  old  officers  on  half-pay, 
and,  consequently,  high  tory  in  feelings  and  politics. 
It  is  due  to  them,  however,  to  declare,  that  from  them 
I  never  received  the  slightest  mark  of  disrespect  or 
insult.  They  seemed  to  consider  me  as  a  foe,  but  as  a 
fallen  one,  and  as  such,  inviolate  from  contumely. 
Any  thing  they  could  do,  consistent  with  their  ho- 
nour, and  the  duty  they  "  owed  their  sovereign,"  to 
alleviate  my  condition,  they  freely  proffered.  When- 


Ill 


system  de- 
bject  of  the 
token  of  a 
lai  men  de- 
discovered 
eir  dreams, 
B[ood  hopes 
ny  expecta- 
idency,  and 

more  leni- 
lefit  of  our 
ige  of  walk- 
nteers  who 
)w  reached 
in  the  con- 
progress  of 
d  fought — 
)nsequence, 
sat  and  cap- 
honour  of 
our  "man- 
;s  was  thus 
iding,  hav- 
Iding,  Col. 
d  up  from 
to  breathe 
IS,  that  the 
friends  of 
by  a  sight 
I  half-pay, 
id  politics. 
Tom  them 
espect  or 
|e,  but  as  a 
ntumely. 
their  ho- 
eign,"  to 
.   When- 


149 

ever  I  met  a  British  officer,  of  the  regular  service,  I 
was  well  treated.  They  were  desirous,  they  said,  to 
see  Col.  Brophy  and  myself,  of  whom  they  had  heard 
so  much,  that  they  might  be  able  to  tell  their  families 
at  home,  that  they  had  seen  us.  I  easily  perceived 
from  their  remarks,  that  rumour,  with  her  accus- 
tomed truth,  had  paintct^  us  in  colours  in  which  it 
was  diiiicult  to  recognise  ourselves.  Friend  and  foe 
had  conspired  to  give  us  an  eclat,  to  which  we  had 
no  title.  The  first,  to  show  that  their  friends  were 
men  of  undaunted  character ;  and  the  latter,  to  exalt 
their  prowess,  and  their  claim  to  the  gratitude  of 
their  country,  as  its  brave  defenders. 

A  special  commission  had  been  appointed  in  each 
district.  As  the  jails  were  becoming  overcrowded, 
it  was  designed  to  facilitate  the  commissioners,  on  dis- 
charging those  whom  they  should  judge  the  least 
implicated. 

The  prisoners  "\\  .ailed  before  them,  and  ques- 
tioned upon  the  pir  viiey  had  taken.  When  brought 
before  these  commissioners,  they  went  through  the 
form  of  warning  them  that  it  was  not  necessary  for 
them  to  commit  themselves  in  their  answers.  They 
declared  that  the  government  had  appointed  them 
to  make  the  necessary  examinations,  but  that  they 
compassionated  their  situation.  They  therefore  urged 
them  to  confide  in  them,  as  neighbours  and  friends, 
their  share  in  the  business,  and  the  motives  which 
had  induced  them  to  engage  in  it.  They  insinuated 
that  many  charges  had  been  sworn  to  against  them, 
which  they  were  unwilling  to  credit,  but  which, 
they  regretted  to  say,  in  the  present  state  of  the  pub- 
lic mind,  were  sufficient  to  hang  them.  The  govern- 
or, they  declared,  was  desirous  to  liberate  them, 
and  allow  them  to  return  to  their  families.  Assur- 
ances were  made  to  them,  that  if  they  would  reveal 
the  names  of  those  who  had  instigated  them ;  con- 
fess all  they  knew;  acknowledge  their  guilt;  and 
promise  to  return  and  remain  quietly  at  home,  they 

13* 


! 


150 


hi 


■Jih    a 


1 1 


would  immediately  be  set  free.  Many,  by  these 
artful  means,  were  lured  to  their  destruction. 

Some  had  been  thrown  into  prison  upon  mere  sus- 
picion, without  a  tittle  of  evidence.  These  were 
put  to  a  species  of  indirect  torture  to  extort  confes- 
sions— a  method  so  abhorrent  to  every  principle  of 
justice  and  humanity,  that  it  deserves  to  be  held  up 
to  universal  execration.  They  were  thrown  into  the 
dungeons  of  the  prison,  and  deprived  of  food  for  days 
together.  One  of  these  commissioners,  acting  upon 
the  lessons  of  the  familiars  of  the  Spanish  inquisition, 
would  descend  thither  to  console  them  with  sympa- 
thy and  assurances  of  friendship ;  abuse  the  jailer  for 
treating  this  friend  and  neighbour  with  such  cruelty; 
and,  promising  to  use  his  interest  with  the  commis- 
sioners to  procure  their  liberation,  leave  them.  After 
a  few  days,  the  poor  husbandman,  bowed  down  in 
mind  and  body  by  unaccustomed  confinement,  is 
brought  out,  and  led  before  the  honourable  com- 
missioners. His  pretended  friend  is  at  hand,  to 
whisper  in  his  ear  that  the  proof  against  him  has 
been  too  strong  for  his  influence ;  that  his  only  hope 
is  to  conciliate  the  commissioners  by  a  full  confession, 
and  by  answering,  without  reserve,  every  question 
propounded  to  him — if  he  would  act  with  this  ad- 
vice, he  might  possibly  save  him. 

Entrapped  by  such  accursed  acts,  the  poor  pri- 
soner would  frequently  admit  his  guilt,  and,  uncon- 
sciously, perhaps,  compromit  his  neighbours.  The 
clerk,  in  the  meantime,  has  written  down  his  con- 
fession, which  he  is  induced  to  sign,  to  be  sent  as  an 
evidence  of  contrition  to  the  governor,  under  a  pro- 
bability of  pardon.  Thus  a  weak-minded  few  were 
led  to  betray  their  compatriots.  The  conviction  of 
those  being  most  eagerly  urged,  who  had  valuable 
property,  the  confiscation  of  which  would  repay  the 
loyal  gentry  for  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of  their 
most  gracious  majesty. 

The  names  of  the  magistrates  acting  under  special 


l!ii      < 


ji  J  t 


,  by  these 

I  mere  sus- 
tiese  were 
ort  confes- 
riiiciple  of 
le  held  up 
vn  into  the 
Qd  for  days 
eting  upon 
inquisition, 
Lth  sympa- 
le  jailer  for 
ch  cruelty; 
ic  commis- 
lem.   After 
d  down  in 
nement,  is 
rable  com- 
t  hand,  to 
^t  him  has 
only  hope 
confession, 
y  question 
h  this  ad- 
poor  pri- 
|iid,  uncon- 
lurs.     The 
In  his  con- 
sent as  an 
per  a  pro- 
few  were 
action  of 
valuable 
repay  the 
le  of  their 

ler  special 


151 

commissions  for  the  London  District  were  Messrs. 
J.  B.  Askins,  Lauraison,  Givens,  and  Cook. 

With  Col.  Brophy  and  myself,  who  were  sepa- 
rately examined,  they  took  a  still  more  artful  plan. 
They  expressed  a  sorrow  that  so  painful  a  duty  hacl 
been  imposed  upon  them.  We  were  gentlemen, 
they  had  heard,  of  standing  and  property  in  our  own 
country.  Duped  and  misled  by  a  feeling  of  philan- 
thropy, we  had  embarked,  generously  they  must 
admit,  in  aid  of  a  people,  whom  we  had  been  in- 
duced to  believe  were  struggling  for  liberty.  The 
base  cowards  who  had  led  us  into  the  snare,  had 
deserted  and  betrayed  us.  The  governor  was  averse 
to  punish  us,  and  only  sought  the  opportunity  to  ma- 
nifest to  the  American  people,  with  whom  he  wished 
to  foster  feelings  of  amity,  that  they  were  strong 
enough  to  protect  the  country  from  invasion.  He 
was  anxious  to  display  his  generosity  by  giving  their 
liberty  to  men  who  had  bravely  but  rashly  joined 
the  insurgents  against  their  government.  All  he  de- 
sired was,  that  I  should  make  a  plain  statement  of 
facts,  to  be  laid  before  his  excellency,  Sir  Francis 
Bond  Head.  They  were  confident  that  on  my  com- 
pliance an  order  for  our  liberation  would  be  re- 
ceived, with  such  conditions  as  men  of  honour  could 
freely  accept.  Sir  Francis  was  incapable  of  exact- 
ing any  thing  which  was  not  strictly  honourable. 
They  regretted  extremely  the  unfeeling  manner  in 
which  we  had  been  treated,  and  none  could  depre- 
cate more  than  they  did,  the  harsh  conduct  of  the 
people  of  the  western  district.  They  hoped,  that 
when  we  returned  to  our  homes,  which  they  had 
every  reason  to  believe  would  be  without  delay,  we 
would  refrain  from  creating  a  prejudice  among  our 
own  people  and  against  their  country,  for  the  faults 
of  a  few  men,  who  had  grossly  erred,  in  supposing 
that  the  governor  would  sanction  such  proceedings, 
et  caBtera,  and  so  forth. 

In  reply  to  these  insinuating  arguments,  I  declared 


' 


,^1 


'  1 


152 


'  r" 


(     li! 


«'  ■ ! 


that  I  was  utterly  at  a  loss  to  imagine  the  xharacter 
of  the  statement  they  desired  me  io  make.  As  far 
as  I  myself  was  individually  implicated,  I  was  will- 
ing to  inform  them.  Any  questions  they  thought 
proper  to  ask,  if  consistent  with  my  sense  of  honour, 
should  be  fully  answered ;  further  than  this,  I  pre- 
sumed they  would  not  expect,  and  further  I  would 
not  go.  They  knew  that  I  was  taken  in  arms,  and 
I  supposed  that  was  sufficient ;  this  they  would  have 
no  difficulty  in  proving  in  the  event  of  a  trial.  Of 
all  this,  they  replied,  they  were  perfectly  informed, 
but  they  wished  me  to  detail,  for  the  information  of 
his  excellency,  every  thing  connected  with  the  in- 
vasion. For  example,  how  far  we  had  been  coun- 
tenanced by  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  the  state  of  Michigan  ?  What  had  been  done 
to  further  our  designs,  and  what  had  been  the  in- 
ducements under  which  I  had  acted  ?  Who  were 
the  persons  that  were  to  have  jomed  me  in  Canada? 
Through  whom  was  I  in  the  habit  of  communicat- 
ing to  the  officers  among  the  French,  a  brigade  of 
which  they  understood  was  to  have  been  a  part  of 
my  command ;  and  was  it  not  a  person  in  Maiden  of 
the  name  of  Sloane  ? 

In  reply,  I  repeated,  that  so  far  as  I  myself  was 
concerned,  I  cared  not  to  speak.  But  lest  they  might 
misinterpret  my  silence,  I  would  inform  them,  that, 
to  my  own  knowledge,  the  United  States  govern- 
ment rendered  us  no  aid,  but,  on  the  contrary,  were 
opposed  to  our  undertaking.  That  neither  the  go- 
vernor of  Michigan,  nor  any  of  the  state  officers,  as 
such,  had  rendered  us  in  any  manner  the  slightest 
assistance.  That  I  unquestionably  possessed  means 
of  communication  with  that  portion  of  the  French 
and  Irish  population,  which  I  was  designed  to  com- 
mand :  that  I  was  not  at  Uberty  to  make  disclosures, 
nor  would  I  make  any  upon  this  p  '-^t.  Mr.  Sloane, 
the  person  whose  name  was  mentioi  .,  I  said,  I  did 
not  know,  but  had  seen  him  in  Det  o.    and  that  he 


3  xharacter 
e.  As  far 
[  was  will- 
sy  thought 
of  honour, 
this,  I  pre- 
er  I  would 

arms,  and 
;rould  have 
.  trial.  Of 
•  informed, 
rmation  of 
ith  the  in- 
been  coun- 
ted States, 

been  done 
3en  the  in- 
Who  were 
in  Canada? 
•mmunicat- 
brigade  of 
1  a  part  of 
Maiden  of 

lyself  was 
they  might 
pern,  that, 
;s  govern- 
|rary,  were 
ler  the  go- 
>fficers,  as 
|e  slightest 
5ed  means 
le  French 
;d  to  com- 
lisclosures, 
[r.  Sloanc, 
said,  I  did 
id  that  he 


153 

was  there  considered  a  tory.  They  looked  at  one 
another,  and  gave  a  cunning  smile.  It  was  then  in- 
quired of  me,  whether  I  would  be  wiHing  to  write  a 
letter  addressed  to  the  people  of  Michigan,  or  ap- 
pend to  a  letter,  which  had  already  been  written  by 
another,  my  approval  of  the  statements  therein  made, 
namely,  that  the  people  of  Canada  were  averse  to 
our  interference,  and  manifestly  loyal  and  devoted 
to  the  existing  government.  This  I  declined,  on  the 
ground  that  no  opportunity  had  been  afforded  me 
of  communicating  with  any  one,  except  in  the  pre- 
sence and  with  the  consent  of  the  guard  composing 
our  escort.  Such  as  were  of  unquestionable  loyalty 
alone  were  allowed  this  privileg^e,  and  that,  except 
with  the  guard  themselves  and  a  few  officers,  I  had 
conversed  with  no  one  since  I  had  been  driven  upon 
their  shores.  That  my  own  motives  of  action,  as 
appeared  from  their  remarks,  were  well  known,  and 
that  there  was  no  necessity  of  committing  them  to 
writing. 

The  replies  of  Col.  Brophy,  to  similar  interroga- 
tions, were  of  like  import. 

They  then  proceeded  with  the  examination  of  our 
men ;  but  obtained  no  information  beyond  the  occur- 
rences which  had  taken  place  on  board  the  schooner 
Ann.  The  following  dialogue  took  place  on  the  ex- 
amination of  one  of  the  men. 

"  What  induced  ^ou  to  join  the  patriots  ?" 

"  I  heard  bad  stories  of  your  treatment  of  the  poor 
refugees,  and,  God  knows,  from  what  I  have  myself 
seen,  I  believe  they  are  true :  you  are  a  bad  breed, 
and  the  sooner  you  are  driven  off  to  England  the  bet- 
ter for  this  country." 

"  But  what  inducements  were  held  out  to  you,  to 
leave  your  own  home  to  aid  these  refugees  ?  Surely 
it  was  not  a  love  of  fighting,  merely  ?" 

"Not  altogether;  partly  that,  partly  the  three 
hundred  acres  of  land,  and  the  hundred  dollars  in 
specie,  offered  by  Mackenzie,  as  a  bounty  to  those 


I  ii 


J 

.'■1 

i 

i 
I 


'l   I 


'!> 


i) 


154 

who  would  volunteer.  These,  together,  were  induce- 
ments enough,  I  thmk,  these  hard  '.imes,  to  make 
any  man  fight." 

"  Were  your  officers, think  you, incited  by  the  same 
views  ?" 

"  Officers  ?  why,  I  think  not,  I  guess  it  was  prtJity 
much  for  the  fun  of  it." 

"  Was  that,  in  your  opinion,  sufficient  ?" 

"  Why,  I  think  it  was  for  them,  as  they  were  well 
enough  off  at  home ;  but  they  wished  to  have  a  lick 
at  the  British,  just  to  pay  them  off  for  what  they  had 
done  in  old  times,  against  our  people.  Lord  blesf 
you  !  only  wait  till  spring  comes,  and  you  will  see 
forty  or  fifty  thousand  come  on  from  Ohio  and 
Kentucky,  just  to  try  their  rifles  on  the  red-coats." 

Thus  ended  the  curious  colloquy,  as  they  found 
that  nothing  better  could  be  obtained  from  him. 

During  our  imprisonment,  we  were  visited  by 
some  of  the  officers  of  the  32d  regiment,  who,  on 
their  route  to  Maiden,  stopped  a  day  or  two  at  Lon- 
don. They  had  been  engaged  in  the  affiiir  at  St. 
Eustache.  One  of  them,  a  fine  looking  veteran,  in 
answer  to  my  question,  whether  the  Lower  Cana- 
dians were  cowards,  as  reported  by  the  loyalists  ? 
"Cowards,"  said  he,  "cowards !  Sir,  I  have  been  in  the 
Peninsular  campaign,  and  seen  many  sanguinary 
actions,  but  none  I  have  ever  witnessed,  compares 
with  that  of  St.  Eustache.  The  Canadians  cowards !" 
repeated  he,  with  indignation, "  they  did  not  fight  like 
men,  they  fought  like  tigers."  I  then  inquired  of  him 
whether  Dr.  Chenier,  who  I  informed  him  had  been 
a  fellow-student,  had  been  in  the  action.  "  He  was, 
sir,' '  he  replied ; "  he  died  fighting  like  a  brave  man.  He 
deserved  a  better  fate  than  to  be  inhumanly  mangled 
as  he  was  by  the  cowardly  militia,  who  skulked  dur- 
ing the  action,  but  when  the  danger  was  over,  dis- 
played their  barbarity,  in  mutilating  the  corpses  of 
those  brave  but  deluded  men,  who  thought  they  were 


155 


vere  induce- 
BS,  to  make 

by  the  same 

t  was  pretty 

»  • 

ly  were  well 
)  have  a  lick 
hat  they  had 
Lord  blesF 
you  will  see 
n   Ohio  and 
red-coats." 
3  they  found 
om  him. 
e  visited  by 
ent,  who,  on 
two  at  Lon- 
affair  at  St. 
veteran,  in 
iower  Cana- 
le  loyalists? 
^e  been  in  the 
sanguinary 
|d,  compares 
cowards!" 
lot  fight  like 
uiredofhim 
had  been 
"  He  was, 
iveman.  He 
ily  mangled 
ailked  dur- 
|s  over,  dis- 
corpses  of 
[t  they  were 


; 


I 


doing  right,  in  fighting  for  what  they  considered  the 
liberties  of  their  country." 

Such  sentiments,  from  the  lips  of  a  person  wearing 
the  livery  of  her  majesty,  not  a  little  surprised  me. 
But  from  a  better  acquaintance  with  the  officers  of 
the  British  army,  I  became  convinced,  that  they  had 
no  share  in  the  rancorous  feelings  which  infested 
the  bosoms  of  the  loyal  militia  officers,  against  the 
sutfering  Canadian  patriots.  This  old  soldier  bore 
the  scars  of  honourable  warfare.  As  a  brave  man,  his 
indignation  was  naturally  aroused,  at  the  indiscrimi- 
nate plunder,  burning,  and  merciless  massacres,  per- 
petrated by  the  infuriated  loyalists. 

His  name  has  escaped  my  memory,  or  I  should  be 
happy  to  record  it  to  his  honour,  as  well  as  those  of 
the  officers  of  his  corps,  who  were  with  him,  and 
••^       coincided  in  the  sentiments  he  expressed. 


CHAPTER  XHI. 


From  London  to  Toronto. 


Ten  days  had  now  elapsed  since  our  arrival  at 
London,  when,  in  consequence,  I  believe,  of  a  de- 
spatch from  the  governor,  we  were  ordered  to  Toron- 
to. As  the  season  was  cold,  and  we  were  destitute 
of  the  clothing  necessary  to  our  comfort,  some  prepa- 
ration was  requisite  for  our  journey.  Col.  Brophy 
and  myself  prevailed  upon  the  jailer  to  purchase 
what  we  needed,  for  which  the  merchant  consented 
to  receive  a  draft  on  our  friends  at  home. 

On  the  same  day,  we  formed  an  acquaintance  with 
a  fellow-prisoner  who  was  rudely  thrust  into  our  cell. 
He  was  a  very  intelligent  young  English  merchant, 
named  Charles  Latimer.     He  had  been  seized  on 


i.  i 


^  ' 


f  fl 


ii;  '^• 


^'•1  if 


1 1 


1-^^ 


V 


^ 


156 

suspicion,  his  store  rifled,  and  its  contents  given  up 
to  the  soldiery  as  common  plunder.  This  gentleman 
informed  us,tliat  he  was  a  native  of  Oxford,  England, 
and,  I  think,  a  graduate  of  the  University  there.  He 
had  been  settled  for  some  years  in  Canada,  when  his 
ardent  advocacy  of  the  cause  of  reform  had,  of  con- 
sequence, marked  him  out  for  the  vengeance  of  the 
lory  gentry  of  London.  He  had  been  anxious  to  see 
us,  and  inform  us  of  a  plan  which  had  been  arranged 
for  our  rescue  on  the  route  to  Toronto.  While  de- 
spairing of  any  means  of  communicating  with  us,  the 
opportunity  occurred  in  a  manner  the  most  unex- 
pected. He  was  himself  ordered  down  for  examina- 
tion. Being  well  advised  of  the  mode  in  which 
others  had  been  duped  by  the  pretended  friendship 
of  the  commissioners,  he  was  prepared  for  their 
snares,  and  declined  any  reply  to  their  interrogatories. 

As  a  punishment  for  this  alleged  contempt  of 
court,  he  was  thrust  into  the  dungeon  which  we  oc- 
cupied, to  render  him  more  tractable.  He  was  thus 
enabled  to  inform  us  of  the  plan  proposed  for  our 
rescue,  and  to  advise  us  to  be  prepared  for  the  at- 
tempt. The  project,  however,  was  defeated,  by  ac- 
celerating our  departure  a  day  sooner  than  that 
which  had  been  announced.  Thourh  our  acquaint- 
ance had  been  short,  we  parted  with  this  young 
gentleman  with  great  regret.  His  highly  cultivated 
mind,  and  general  intelligence,  were  well  calculated 
to  beguile  the  tedium  of  imprisonment.  The  hope 
of  escape,  however  sHght,  greatly  couFjled  us. 

When  about  to  depart,  I  seized  an  of  portunity  to 
say  to  Col.  Askins,  in  presence  of  some  of  the  re- 
gular officers,  that  I  hoped  he  would  not  treat  us 
with  the  indignity  of  binding  us,  which  he  had  so 
strongly  deprecated  in  the  magistrates  of  the  western 
district.  He  looked  at  the  other  officers,  and  after  a 
few  minutes'  silence,  replied,  "  I  think  there  is  no 
necessity  for  it."  "  Most  certainly  not,"  responded 
one  of  the  officers ;  "  a  company  of  sixty  men  is 


157 


3nts  given  up 
his  gentleman 
ford,  England, 
ity  there.    He 
ada,  when  his 
n  had,  of  con- 
geance  of  the 
anxions  to  see 
been  arranged 
).     While  de- 
ng  with  us,  the 
c  most  unex- 
1  for  examina- 
ode   in  which 
led  friendship 
ired  for  their 
nterrogatories. 
contempt  of 
which  we  oc- 
He  was  thus 
t)posed  for  our 
•ed  for  the  at- 
feated,  by  ac- 
Uer   than  that 
our  acquaint- 
this  young 
ily  cultivated 
i^ell  calculated 
The  hope 
jled  us. 
)fportunity  to 
ne  of  the  re- 
not  treat  us 
h  he  had  so 
)f  the  western 
3,  and  after  a 
;  there  is  no 
,"  responded 
sixty  men  is 


It. 


;. 


surely  enough  to  guard  fifteen  prisoners,  without 
that."     About  noon  the  waggons  were  ready,  and 
marching  us  out,  they  placed  two  of  us   hi  each, 
guarded  as  before.     Capt.  Stuart,  the  clerk  of  tho 
special  commission,  was  the  captain  of  the  guard, 
Avith   Lieuts.   Monscrrat    and  Askins,  the   son  of 
Lieut.   Col.   Askins.      The    colonel    himself,  com- 
manded the  squad  of  cavalry  which  he  thought  ne- 
cessary to  accompany  us.     Although  our  departure 
was  not  publicly  known,  the  populace  turned  out 
to  see  us ;  every  house,  window,  and  piazza,  were 
crowded  with  ladies,  many  of  w   im  were  dressed 
on  that  day  in  the  "rebel  green."     They  waved 
their  handkerchiefs,  and  muttered  prayers  for  our 
speedy  deliverance.     The   men   were  not  so  bold. 
They  looked  upon  us  as  doomed  men.     They  feared 
for  themselves,  and  that  the  boldness  of  their  wives 
and  daughters  might  be  watched  and  reported  to 
the  official  minions,  and  they,  in  consequence,  punish- 
ed, and  their  property  destroyed,  as  belonging  to  dis- 
affected persons.     We  bowed,  and  smiled,  and  chat- 
ted, as  seemingly  indifferent  as  if  we  had  nothing  to 
do  with  the  matter,  which,  I  perceived,  mortified 
our  tory  guard.     After  an  hour  or  so,  remaining 
in  the  streets,  sitting  in  our  waggons,  the  word  was 
given,  and  we  moved  on,  amid  the  good  wishes  of 
at  least  five-sixths  of  the  persons  present.     During 
the  day,  both  officers  and  men  treated  us  with  a  de- 
gree of  kindness,  which  made  us  augur  v;'ell  for  the 
future.     Col.  Brophy  and  myself  messed  with  them, 
and  we  strove  to  forget  we  were  prisoners.     Lieu- 
tenant, or,  as  he  was  familiarly  called  by  the  men, 
Johnny  Monserrat,  was  a  most  facetious  Irishman, 
who  had  left  Ireland  with  considerable  wealth,  and 
settled  in  Canada.     His  good  di>^uers  and  jovial  cha- 
racter, made  him  a  universal  favourite.     An  Irish 
Orangeman,  he  was,  of  course,  of  the  high  tory 
school ;  but  politics,  or  protestantism,  troubled  him 
but  Uttle,  and  after  the  first  day's  journey,  we  be- 

14 


158 


J  • 


t    1 


f     ^ 


:'■    i 


came  great  friends.  Perceiving  how  unpleasant  to 
me  were  the  prosy  conversations  of  Stuart, — the 
burden  of  wliosc  comnuuiications  were,  tiic  pro- 
perty he  had  already  acquired,  and  the  additional 
number  of  good  farms,  by  rebel  confiscations,  he 
expected  to  obtain,  through  the  influence  of  Lieute- 
nant Colonel,  now  Sir  Allen  M'Nab, — Monserrat 
told  me  he  wished  me  to  ride  with  him,  and  that  if 
I  asked  the  colonel,  he  knew  that  I  would  not  be 
refused.  At  our  next  haUing-place,  I  said  to  Col. 
Askins,  that  I  was  about  to  ask  his  permission  to 
ride  in  the  other  waggon ;  that  Lieut.  Monserrat  had 
bribed  me  with  the  promise  to  tell  me  twenty-three 
good  Irish  stories,  and  that  if  he  would  allow  me 
tlie  gratification,  I  would  esteem  it  as  a  favour.  He 
consented ;  and  I  found  no  reason  to  regret  the 
change.  The  lieutenant's  object,  however,  was 
not  to  amuse  me  with  story-telling,  but  being  of  a 
frank  and  high-minded  disposition,  he  designed  to 
put  me  upon  my  guard  against  the  crafty  plans 
which  others  had  laid,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  us  to 
commit  ourselves.  From  the  intimation  he  gave 
me,  and  the  observations  I  was  enabled  to  make, 
their  object  soon  became  apparent,  and  I  governed 
myself  accordingly. 

As  we  passed  through  this  beautiful  country, 
some  of  the  richest  and  most  eligible  farms  were 
pointed  out  to  me  as  the  property  of  rebels.  The 
owners  of  many  a  fertile  and  well-regulated  estate, 
with  comfortable  and  even  splendid  houses  thereon, 
were  at  that  time  refugees,  not  a  few  of  whom  were 
living  in  Detroit,  when  I  had  left,  dependent  upon 
our  bounty. 

According  to  my  informant,  who  was  not  inclined 
to  speak  very  favourably  of  those  whom  he  styled 
rebels,  the  reformers  constituted  two-thirds  of  the 
population  of  the  London  district.  They  were,  he 
said,  all  farmers,  and  among  the  richest  and  most 
comfortable  people  of  the  province.  "But,"  continued 


V 


i  ! 


159 


he,  "tlicy  must  take  up  some  of  your  Yaiikoo  notiotis, 
and  talk  of  freedom  instead  of  miiidiuu:  tlicir  ploiitrhs; 
and  you  see  what  has  come  of  it.  Their  cliildrt-n 
left  destitute,  and  their  property  given  to  some  good 
jolly  dog  of  a  true  liriton,  who  will  give  a  good 
dinner,  draw  a  good  cork,  and  keep  a  girl  or  two, 
while  the  poor  fool,  who  must  talk  of  his  natural 
rights,  is  turned  adrift,  a  wandering  vagabond  on 
the  face  of  the  earth." 

Such  were  the  opinions  of  a  good,  clever  fellow ; 
but  early  impressions  had  made  him  what  he  was. 
I  only  mention  him  here,  and  his  remarks,  as  a  type 
of  many  hundreds  of  the  population  of  Upper  Ca- 
nada, who  think,  that  a  hard-working,  honest  far- 
ni'^r,  ought  to  think  of  nothing  else  but  minding  his 
plough,  read  his  Bible,  and  leave  his  political  rights 
to  the  management  of  those  who,  like  the  lieuten- 
ant, considered  themselves  their  betters. 

In  conversing  with  another  of  this  class,  upon  the 
benefit  of  primary  schools,  and  the  general  education 
of  the  people,  he  exclaimed,  "Oh,  that  is  one  of  your 
Yankee  absurdities  !  What  does  a  farmer  want  with 
education  ?  Let  him  mind  his  own  business.  Edu- 
cation will  only  tend  to  make  him  insolent  and  con- 
ceited. Will  learning  to  read  teach  him  to  fell  a 
tree  the  better?  He  must  take  a  newspaper,  for- 
sooth ;  and  next  he  becomes  a  politician,  talks  of 
rights  and  privileges  of  freemen,  and  becomes  a 
pest  to  every  gentleman  in  his  neighbourhood." 

The  kindness  we  experienced  wherever  we  stop- 
ped, the  sympathetic  expression  in  the  faces  of  the 
women,  and  the  stern  glances  and  compressed  lips 
of  the  men,  plainly  betrayed  how  difterent  were  their 
opinions  of  their  natural  rights  from  that  of  my  face- 
tious companion. 

At  the  village  of  Brantford,  we  met  with  a  Captain 
Graham,  an  old  officer  of  the  Royal  Navy,  who  in- 
vited us  to  sup  with  him.  He  had  been  on  service, 
was  present  at  Chippewa,  and  was  now  on  his  return 


n 


\m\\ 


'\ 


ff   I 


1.  H       ;  b 


•r      \ 


\<    ? 


160 

10  visit  his  family.  He  informed  me  of  the  evacua- 
tion of  Navy  Island,  which  he  had  visited,  and  spoke 
in  terms  of  admiration  of  the  ingenuity  displayed  by 
the  Yankees,  in  the  fortifications  there.  His  kind- 
ness and  hospitality  claim  my  acknowledgment;  and 
I  trust  we  may  again  meet  where  an  opportunity 
may  be  afforded  me  of  repaying  him. 

An  express  to  Colonel  Askin  hurried  him  back 
from  Brantford  with  a  part  of  our  guard  and  some 
Indians  settled  in  the  vicinity.  From  a  few  words 
which  were  dropped,  I  conjectured  that  they  feared 
another  insurrectionary  movement.  The  armed  men, 
however,  who  had  been  seen,  and  who  had  given 
rise  to  this  apprehension,  were  probably  those  in- 
tending to  attempt  our  rescue.  But  we  had  passed 
sooner  than  had  been  anticipated,  and  they  were  too 
late.  Had  they  been  in  tfeie,  a  better  place  for  an 
ambuscade  than  the  pine  woods  through  which  we 
had  passed  could  not  have  been  devised.  Though 
aware  that  we  had  been  hurried  forward  earlier 
than  at  first  intended,  I  could  not  avoid  an  inquiring 
glance,  at  every  turn  in  the  road,  and  a  hope  that 
each  favourable  spot  we  approached  concealed  our 
friends.     But  all  passed  quietly. 

As  we  continued  our  journey,  however,  the  route 
was  changed;  and  instead  of  pursuing  the  Dundas 
road,  which  lay  through  a  thickly  settled  county  of 
reformers,  the  more  circuitous  route  to  Hamilton  was 
taken.  Even  then,  they  seemed  to  doubt  of  our 
being  secure  in  a  tavern,  as  was  usual  with  our 
guard;  we  were  therefore  deposited  in  the  jail, 
strongly  guarded.  Here  I  was  visited  by  some  old 
acquaintances,  tories  of  course;  none  others  were 
allowed  access  to  us. 

The  next  morning  we  pushed  on  to  Toronto.   The 
villagers,  hearing  of  our  arT-ival,  seemed  anxious  foi 
a  peep  at  the  " hanimals,''  and  many  of  them  re 
mained  in  the  streets,  from  the  morning  of  our  arri 
val  until  noon.     They  appeared  to  sympathize  with 


IGl 

our  condition;  and  could  they  have  aided  us,  would, 
I  think,  willingly  have  done  so.  The  Irish  part  of 
the  population,  especially,  notwithstanding  their  re- 
putation for  loyalty,  had  serious  thoughts  of  rescuing 
us,  were  it  only  for  the  sake  of  the  "  spree.^' 

On  our  arrival  at  Toronto,  from  the  crowds  of 
people  who  occupied  the  streets,  it  had  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  holiday.  All  displayed  an  anxiety  to 
get  a  sight  of  the  prisoners.  A  divided  feeling,  how- 
ever, existed  among  them,  as  appeared  by  the  re- 
marks we  overheard,  touching  our  appearance  and 
probable  fate. 

As  we  reached  the  door  of  the  prison,  where  we 
were  about  to  alight,  I  was  engaged  speaking,  with 
a  smile  on  my  countenance,  to  one  of  the  officers  of 
the  guard.  A  bystander,  conceiving  such  intimacy 
with  the  offi.cer  as  indecorous,  made  some  remarks 
in  a  loud  tone  of  voice.  This  attracted  my  atten- 
tion, and  I  turned  towards  the  speaker,  supposing 
he  addressed  himself  to  me.  He  was  a  decent-look- 
ing man,  evidently  one  of  the  notables  of  the  place. 
On  observing  me  looking  intently  upon  him,  he 
bawled  out,  "  Bad  luck  to  your  impudent  face,  you 
bloody  Yankee  !  I  hope  I  may  never  see  you  come 
out  of  that  place  until  the  morning  you  are  to  be 
hung."  With  this  benediction  and  friendly  wish,  I 
entered  the  prison  of  Toronto. 


Hi 


lers  were  ^ 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


The  Prison  at  Toronto — Fare — Treatment — Incidents. 


We  were  confined  in  what  was  called  the  long 
hall,  in  the  second  story  of  the  building.  At  four 
o'clock,  the  prisoners  were  'ccked  in  the  cells,  without 

14^ 


i"    -Ji 


3'  i' 


162 


.     1;( 


I    . 


!  I 


fire  or  light ;  and  at  seven  in  the  morning,  the  cell 
doors  were  opened,  and  they  had  permission  to  re- 
main in  the  hall  until  the  hour  of  four  again.  The 
prison  was  at  that  time  crowded ;  there  being  up- 
wards of  three  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  incarce- 
rated. Amongst  this  number,  were  probably  more 
than  one  hundred  of  the  most  reputable  and  useful 
men  of  the  country.  In  the  hall,  the  next  morning, 
were  seventy-three,  all  of  them  wealthy  farmers, 
and  many  of  whom  had  been  confined  for  two 
months,  obliged  to  live  on  the  rations  which  were 
served  out  to  them — a  pound  of  bread,  and  a  pint 
of  a  species  of  soup,  made  out  of  the  head  of  a  bul- 
lock— and  that  served  up  so  filthily,  that  those  of 
delicate  stomachs  could  not  even  bear  the  smell  of 
it.  Most  of  them  had  passed  the  ordeal  of  being 
kept  below  in  the  dungeons,  for  two  or  three  weeks, 
to  break  them  in ;  and  duly  appreciated  the  favour 
of  being  sent  above,  to  make  room  for  new  ar- 
rivals. 

The  tale  told  by  these  men,  was  one  of  horror  and 
deep-dyed  villany.  Many  of  them  were  imprisoned 
on  vague  suspicion ;  others,  for  having,  years  before, 
voted  for  reformers  at  an  election;  some,  because 
tory  magistrates  were  indebted  to  them,  and,  re- 
quiring their  pay,  received  it  in  the  shape  of  a  com- 
mitment to  prison ;  others,  who  had  been  seen  at 
Montgomery's  in  arms,  but  who  had  laid  them  down 
on  the  reception  of  the  proclamation  of  the  governor, 
promising  an  amnesty  to  all  who  would  retire  peace- 
ably to  their  home?;,  and  report  themselves  to  a  ma- 
gistrate, surrendering  their  arms,  and  renewing  their 
oath  of  allegiance.  Of  the  many  who  did  thus, 
although  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head  had  held  forth  that 
"  the  principles  of  monarchy  were  honour ^^  scarce- 
ly one  escaped,  when  within  the  reach  of  his  power ; 
being  arrested  at  his  home,  tied  to  his  neighbour 
with  ropes,  and  driven  into  Toronto  as  a  galley- 
slave.     His  sacred  word,  as  the  representative  of 


!  1 

1     i 

I 

il^    ,      -^ — 

rniiig,  the  cell 
nission  to  re- 
'  again.  The 
ere  being  up- 
itants  incarce- 
►robably  more 
)le  and  useful 
lext  morning, 
ilthy  farmers, 
fined  for  two 
s  which  were 
ad,  and  a  pint 
lead  of  a  bul- 

that  those  of 
,r  the  smell  of 
deal  of  being 
r  three  weeks, 
3d  the  favour 

for  new  ar- 

of  horror  and 
re  imprisoned 
,  years  before, 
ome,  because 
lem,  and,  re- 
ipe  of  a  Gom- 
been seen  at 
d  them  down 
the  governor, 
I  retire  peace- 
ves  to  a  ma- 
newing  their 
ho  did  thus, 
eld  forth  that 
our^''  scarce- 
)f  his  power ; 
is  neighbour 
as  a  galley- 
sentative  of 


1(J3 

the  monarchy  of  England,  and  as  a  man,  was 
pledged,  that  if  they  would  but  refrain  from  cutting 
his  lying,  hypocritical  throat,  when  they  had  it  in 
their  power,  and  return  to  their  allegiance,  all  should 
be  forgotten.  How  well  that  sacred  pledge  of  ho- 
nour ^^-^^  kept,  the  moans  and  shrieks  of  distracted 
wive,^^o|,*f«)e/.;bers — of  houseless  children,  and  heart- 
brol^?^t>o2y^o//^*e«,/^-^^  l^est   tell.     No  language  of 

'?f^a,!^'    //•  "^e  f-l'^'«iJf  a  woman  who  has  seen 


^KV^'i/e^^. 


'^"^or  A 


vam, 


shuttling. 


1^*^/* 


Oi- 


*'i;f«*^''C- 


'«« 


6„ 


'o^ 


l^^'fot 


H 


th 


'«i 


hty^ 


h^^-  li*  ^:*«* 


'°  th   J I  ^^^  wants  and 

^1  hoi  be  surprised, 

/  .or  this  treason  to 

lot  be  treacherous 

nent — was,  that  cir- 

hich  he  thought  the 

/i  he  allowed  them  to 


•  ^v?/ 


^^io 


•40  "'Jii 


"?i 


fe^. 


*/>« 


*'e/JJ^.»^*/-essity  of  fire,  pillage 


"*<«*. 


of  Noiu-     ^it/i  ^J^eiit  "'•a/f  forgive  you,  but  I  never 
will."    If,  m^    *«/-ow  *o  '^- ^  ^— -'  - 


the   gallows.     As  said 
■Ath-bed,  to  the  Countess 


^od 


f^i  seen  enough  previously 
of  the  wrongs  Oi  ^^ j fw%  Canada,  before  I  was 
three  days  in  that  prifcn,  I  saw  enough  to  stagger 
all  human  belief.  A  grand  school  would  it  have 
been  for  the  few  copper-counting,  miserly,  and 
heartless  wretches  we  tolerate  in  this  country,  who 
denounced  and  proscribed  the  patriot,  and  pro- 
nounced the  complaints  of  the  wrongs  and  injuries 
of  the  suffering  Canadian  unfounded,  and  them  un- 
worthy of  either  belief  or  protection  in  their  revolu- 
tionary struggle.   Even  such  callous  beings,  confined 


»» 
if 


I 


K'  H 


&      i 


[■    1     I 


i      i' 


5-  >; 


162 

fire  or  light ;  and  at  seven  in  the  morning,  the  cell 
doors  were  opened,  and  they  had  permission  to  re- 
main in  the  hall  until  the  hour  of  four  again.  The 
prison  was  at  that  time  crowded ;  there  being  up- 
wards of  three  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  incarce- 
rated. Amongst  this  number,  were  probab^-'v  more 
than  one  hundred  of  the  most  reputabl'^  '\seful 

men  of  the  country.     In  the  hall,  t^^^^.     j^^5»*Lw* Vig* 
were  seventy-three,  all  of  ^L>^**?^'Ct'^*^l,i  ''**%1*^ — 
and  many  of  whom  h>^-fcjt<V^  ftW'^'S-w**  Se^  !f 
months,  obliged  to^nf^K^l^^  f  ^  ^fl<Vl?J 
served  out  to    '     .^tf^v*-^    v*  a  ^^^V*^' 
of  a  species      ^'^^^^\^'^:^o<^'^^<^  V*  1' 
lock — and 
delicate  stom 
it.     Most  of 

o.  ..,  sent  ^^^^^g^^i:^^ 

The  tale 
dt  ^:  -dyed  villany.    \  cc^'-^ktw^t^w 
on  vague  suspicion ;  X'*^, 
voted  for  reformer 
tory  magistrates 
quiring  their  pay 

mitment  to  prison  3  wuicix\»»_^ipr.  v^x**^^'^ 
Montgomery's  in  arms,  hut  ^o'^Jijk  ^*V'J^iif^o\vn 
on  the  reception  of  the  procL•tXJ^\>«!^^01r^overnor, 
promising  an  amnesty  to  all  v  <^?^1P^*'  .I'fetire  peace- 
ably to  their  homes,  and  repoi  -lemselves  to  a  ma- 
gistrate, surrendering  their  arms,  and  renewing  their 
oath  of  allegiance.  Of  the  many  who  did  thus, 
although  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head  had  held  forth  that 
"  the  ptnnciples  of  monarchy  were  honour ^^  scarce- 
ly one  escaped,  when  within  the  reach  of  his  power ; 
being  arrested  at  his  home,  tied  to  his  neighbour 
with  ropes,  and  driven  into  Toronto  as  a  galley- 
slave.     His  sacred  word,  as  the  representative  of 


iiig,  the  cell 
ission  to  rc- 
igain.  The 
e  being  up- 
mts  incarce- 
3babi"v  more 
'\seful 

»%overnor, 
retire  peace- 
es  to  a  ma- 
ewing  their 
0  did  thus, 
d  forth  that 
K^r,"  scarce- 
his  power ; 
neighbour 
s  a  galley- 
entative  of 


163 

the  monarchy  of  England,  and  as  a  man,  was 
pledged,  that  if  they  would  but  refrain  from  cutting 
his  lying,  hypocritical  throat,  when  they  had  it  in 
their  power,  and  return  to  their  allegiance,  all  should 
be  forgotten.  How  well  that  sacred  pledge  of  ho- 
nour was  kept,  the  moans  and  shrieks  of  distracted 
wives  and  mothers — of  houseless  children,  and  heart- 
broken orphans — can  best  tell.  No  language  of 
ours,  and  none  but  that  of  a  woman  who  has  seen 
husband  and  father  fettered,  and  dragged  from  their 
beds  in  the  night,  her  house  burnt  over  her  head, 
and  she,  with  her  offspring,  a  moment  before  in  af- 
fluence, now  a  wandering  beggar,  can  tell.  There 
are  none  other  who  are  gifted  with  the  power  of 
even  dreaming  language  sufliciently  expressive. 

Those  unacquainted  with  the  policy  of  fhe  British 
govejyiment,  and  the  nature  of  the  vain,  shuffling, 
little  fool  who  then  administered  to  her  wants  and 
caprices  in  Upper  Canada,  need  not  be  surprised, 
that  the  only  excuse  he  offered  for  this  treason  to 
himself  and  mankind — he  could  not  be  treacherous 
to  the  ruling  spirit  of  his  government — was,  that  cir- 
cumstances had  occurred,  by  which  he  thought  the 
province  would  be  in  danger,  if  he  allowed  them  to 
go  at  large.  Ergo,  the  necessity  of  fire,  pillage, 
chains,  imprisonment,  and  the  gallows.  As  said 
Queen  Elizabeth,  on  her  death-bed,  to  the  Countess 
of  Nottingham,  **'  God  may  forgive  you,  but  I  never 
will."  If,  indeed,  I  had  not  seen  enough  previously 
of  the  wrongs  of  suffering  Canada,  before  I  was 
three  days  in  that  prison,  I  saw  enough  to  stagger- 
all  human  belief.  A  grand  school  would  it  have 
been  for  the  few  copper-counting,  miserly,  and 
heartless  wretches  we  tolerate  in  this  country,  who 
denounced  and  proscribed  the  patriot,  and  pro- 
nounced the  complaints  of  the  wrongs  and  injuries 
of  the  suffering  Canadian  unfounded,  and  them  un- 
worthy of  either  belief  or  protection  in  their  revolu- 
tionary struggle.   Even  such  callous  beings,  confined 


i' 


>     1 


P' 


164 


t     ■': 


f' 


!    ', 


»:> 


along  with  such  men  for  a  few  days,  would  have 
seen  and  have  heard  enough  to  make  them  ashamed 
to  indulge  such  opinions,  and  such  vile  prejudices. 

The  tory  party  have  never  attempted  to  deny  the 
truths  related  by  these  men ;  but  justified  them,  on 
the  ground  of  their  being  the  smaller  number : 
using  the  argument,  that  it  was  necessary  for  them 
to  exert  themselves  in  taking  up  all  the  popular  men, 
and  in  disarming  the  people,  lest  they  should  rise  up, 
and,  insisting  upon  their  rights  and  liberties,  treat 
them  in  like  manner.  Can  any  man,  possessed  of  a 
spark  of  American  feeling,  say  that  this  was  suffi- 
cient to  justify  the  declaration  of  martial  law,  the 
suspension  of  the  habeas  corpus,  arbitrary  imprison- 
ment, the  burning  of  churches,  the  pillaging  of  vil- 
lages, the  firing  of  houses,  and  the  murder,  and 
roasting  alive  of  their  fellow-citizens,  turning  their 
wives  and  children  houseless  and  homeless  wander- 
ers upon  the  cold  charities  of  the  world;  casting  their 
noblemen  by  nature — their  intellectual  and  talented 
lords  of  the  soil — into  prison,  or  driving  them  into 
exile  ?  And  all  this  that  a  few  should  rule  ?  No ; 
no.  There  is  no  American  that  can  or  will  say, 
with  a  knowledge  of  these  truths,  that  the  people  of 
Canada  were  not,  by  all  and  every  principle  of  right, 
human  and  divine,  called  upon  to  rise  up,  and  free 
themselves  from  the  despotism  which  enslaved  them. 
Even  now,  at  home,  in  the  midst  of  my  family,  and 
in  my  much-loved  adopted  country,  surrounded  by^ 
freemen,  who  know  what  their  liberty  is  worth,  I 
shudder  when  I  recall  those  scenes  to  remembrance, 
and  reflect  upon  some  of  the  transactions  which  I 
have  witnessed ;  and  which  are  too  indelibly  en- 
graved on  my  mind  ever  to  be  erased. 

It  is  a  painful  task  for  me  to  draw  the  curtain, 
and  expose  to  my  readers,  "  man's  inhumanity  to 
man ;"  but,  nevertheless,  I  consider  it  a  duty  I  owe 
the  tyrannical  portion  of  my  fellow-beings,  to  repre- 
sent the  case  of  at  least  one  man  in  prison.   William 


1G5 


would  have 
3m  ashamed 
Drejudices. 
to  deny  the 
ed  them,  on 
er  number: 
ry  for  them 
opular  men, 
)uld  rise  up, 
erties,  treat 
ssessed  of  a 
s  was  suffi- 
al  law,  the 
•y  imprison- 
ging  of  vil- 
lurder,  and 
irning  their 
;ss  wander- 
;asting  their 
nd  talented 

them  into 
•ule  ?  No ; 
r  will  say, 
3  people  of 
)le  of  right, 
3,  and  free 
aved  them, 
amily,  and 
ounded  by^ 
worth,  l' 
lembrance, 
is  which  I 

elibly  en- 

le  curtain, 
manity  to 
uty  I  owe 
to  repre- 
William 


C.  Comfort,  a  highly  respectable  and  wealthy  indi- 
vidual, and  who  was  the  first  of  the  prisoners  with 
whom  I  became  acquainted,  was  arrested  and  com- 
mitted for  the  crime  of  loaning  his  team  to  Macken- 
zie and  another  person,  under  the  following  circum- 
stances : — On  the  morning  after  the  defeat  at  Mont- 
gomery's, these  individuals  called  at  his  house, 
situated  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  from  the 
battle-ground,  on  their  way  to  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier; and,  being  well  acquainted  with  Mackenzie, 
he  invited  him  to  refreshments;  and,  on  learning 
his  anxiety  to  proceed  on  a  journey,  and  observing 
his  horses  fatigued,  tendered  his  own,  and  all  this 
without  any  knowledge  of  an  escape,  a  battle,  or  a 
defeat.  For  this  simple  offence,  or,  if  the  reader 
please,  high-handed  outrage,  he  was  arrested,  and 
dragged  to  prison ;  and,  not  content  Avith  this,  the 
magistrates  so  brutally  treated  his  wife,  in  the  hope 
of  obtaining  information  she  did  not  possess,  to  im- 
plicate her  husband,  by  telling  her,  among  other 
things,  he  would  be  hanged  the  next  day,  that  pre- 
mature labour  was  brought  on,  and  she  and  her 
babe,  before  that  day's  sun  was  set,  were  in  their 
graves.  I  cannot  find  words  to  describe,  and  must 
leave  it  to  the  imagination  of  my  readers,  what  were 
the  feelings  of  the  husband  and  father,  in  his  dungeon, 
and  in  irons,  on  receiving  this  agonizing  intelligence. 
Unhappy  man  !  what  could  he  do,  but  make  an  ef- 
fort to  brace  his  nerves,  and  stay  the  bursting  of  his 
heart-strings,  for  the  sake  of  his  other  four  mo- 
therless children,  exposed  to  the  like  brutal  malice 
of  the  murderers  of  his  wife  ? 

The  brutality  exercised  in  this  case  roused  the 
indignation  of  even  some  of  the  Orange  tory  party  ; 
and  when  he  begged  the  authorities  to  allow  him  to 
go  out  on  bail,  only  to  the  funeral,  and  to  provide 
some  place  for  his  children,  he  was  refused.  The 
most  unexceptionable  bail  was  offered  for  one  day, 
with  the  condition  that  he  might  be  accompanied  by 


■    I 


y  I 


'i      ■■': 


^■'  f 


!    Iff 


t      ii 


.-^'.    .«» 


h  i  !  ■■ 


'I';,*! 


166 

a  guard,  and  returned  immediately  to  his  cell.  They 
laughed  in  very  derision  at  the  request ;  forbid  any 
communication  with  him  or  the  other  prisoners,  so 
that  no  friend  could  whisper  a  word  of  consolation  to 
ease  his  breaking  heart.  In  my  pity  for  him  I  momen- 
tarily forgot  my  own  situation — the  indignities  and 
insults  offered  my  person,  and  commiserated  with 
this,  my  wretched  fellow-being,  whom  I  verily  believe 
would  have  fallen  a  victim  to  his  grief,  had  we  not 
consoled  and  encouraged  him  to  live  for  his  children 
and  vengeance.  His  poor  children  came  to  Toronto, 
and  besought  admittance  to  their  father.  Their 
tears  and  entreaties  softened  the  heart  of  the  jailer, 
and  he  took  them  to  the  chancellor,  Jamieson,  whose 
ofRce  it  was  to  grant  passes,  and  begged  permission 
to  let  the  father  see  them;  but  it  was  against  the 
orders  of  the  governor,  and  could  not  be  permitted. 
So  it  was  with  others  during  the  whole  winter.  The 
murderer,  the  thief — all  that  was  vile,  hideous,  and 
execrable  in  society,  could  see  their  associates  and 
relatives,  and  commune  with  them ;  but  those  who 
were  incarcerated  for  their  love  of  country,  were 
shut  out  from  all  communion  with  friend,  neighbour, 
or  relative.  The  husband  was  forbidden  to  see  his 
wife,  even  through  the  grated  bars  of  his  cell ;  and 
the  child  was  deprived  all  intercourse  with  his  sick 
and  dying  parent.  They  could  see  none  to  bless 
them — none  whom  they  could  bless. 

The  orders  were  so  strict,  that  even  the  windows, 
grated  as  they  were,  were  not  considered  enough ; 
and  to  prevent  any  from  seeing,  and  to  exclude  the 
air  and  light  from  getting  into  this  modern  "  hole  of 
Calcutta,"  these  were  boarded  up.  Fathers  were  ar- 
rested by  the  guards,  and  thrown  into  the  dungeon,  for 
only  looking  up  at  the  windows  of  the  rooms  where 
their  sons  were  confined ;  and  wives  and  daughters 
were  rudely  driven  off  by  the  bayonets  of  the  guards, 
for  stopping  in  the  streets,  at  a  distance  of  probably 
twenty  rods,  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  their  husband  or 


I'f- 


his  cell.  They 
est;  forbid  any 
er  prisoners,  so 
ji  consolation  to 
Dr  him  I  momen- 

indignities  and 
imiserated  with 
1 1  verily  believe 
ief,  had  we  not 
5  for  his  children 
:ame  to  Toronto, 

father.  Their 
irt  of  the  jailer, 
Jamieson,  whose 
gged  permission 
was  against  the 
ot  be  permitted, 
lole  winter.  The 
ile,  hideous,  and 
ir  associates  and 

but  those  who 
f  country,  were 
dend,  neighbour, 
idden  to  see  his 
|of  his  cell ;  and 

c  with  his  sick 

le  none  to  bless 

m  the  windows, 

^idered  enough; 
to  exclude  the 

lodern  "  hole  of 
i'athers  were  ar- 

|the  dungeon,  for 

le  rooms  where 

and  daughters 

|ts  of  the  guards, 

ice  of  probably 

lieir  husband  or 


167 

father.  The  tories  were,  at  this  time,  much  elated 
with  their  success.  They  had  burnt  the  Caroline; 
Navy  Island  had  been  evacuated ;  and  they  thought 
themselves  invincible.  They  treated  the  prisoners 
with  proportional  severity.  News,  however,  came, 
that  the  patriots  were  preparing  for  an  incursion  on 
the  Michigan  frontier,  when  they  began  to  relax  a 
little  from  their  harshness,  and  treat  us  with  some 
little  lenity. 

A  number  of  gentlemen  came  to  see  me,  and 
amongst  them,  members  of  the  legislature;  some 
saying  that  they  had  heard  a  good  deal  of  me  from 
gentlemen  of  London;  and  that  they  thought  the 
best  thing  which  could  be  done,  was  for  the  govern- 
ment to  send  us  home ;  and  that  they  should  advise 
him  to  that  effect.  I  obtained  leave  for  myself  and 
Col.  Brophy  to  be  transferred  into  another  room, 
more  airy  and  comfortable.  As  they  wished  to  sepa- 
rate the  Americans,  six  of  the  fifteen  had  been  sent 
down  below ;  and  I  obtained  permission  to  have 
one  of  them,  Mr.  Campau,  from  Brownstown,  Mi- 
chigan, to  come  in  with  me.  In  this  room  were 
Messrs.  Lount,  John  Anderson,  Echart  Kline,  Por- 
ter, Brown,  Wilkie,  Philip  Weidman,  R.  Taylor,  and 
afterwards  Ir.  Comfort ;  and  as  there  were  occa- 
sionally others  brought  in  and  sent  out,  I  do  not  re- 
member all  their  names.  As  this  department  was 
one  of  the  debtors'  rooms,  there  were  also  three  or 
fom*  debtors  always  with  us ;  but  these  gentlemen 
had  been  with  us  during  the  most  of  the  time  we 
stopped  there  ;  and  we  became  much  attached  to  each 
other.  The  room  was,  I  think,  about  fourteen  feel 
square,  and  our  numbers  were  generally  from  twenty 
to  twenty-five ;  and  here  we  had  to  cook  and  sleep — 
they  now  allowing  us  the  privilege  of  receiving  some 
food  from  our  friends  without ;  and  as  we  were  con- 
stantly locked  up,  we  had,  of  course,  to  obey  the  calls 
of  nature  in  the  same  place.  We  were  neither  allowed 
to  see  papers,  nor  receive  any  communication  what- 


]  ] 


>- 


r   hi 


'"1  'I! 


H  If!  1 


I  I 


1G8 

ever ;  nor  even  if  we  povchanccd  to  meet  prisoners 
from  the  other  rooms,  when  we  were  called  out  on 
the  sick  list  to  see  the  doctor,  dared  we  to  speak;  for 
the  turnkey  was  always  on  the  watch ;  and  on  his 
reporting  a  disobedience  of  rules,  the  one  guilty  was 
instantly  ironed,  and  thrown  into  a  cell.  We,  how- 
ever, could  not  remain  in  that  way  long.  We  could 
write  what  we  wished  to  say  to  each  other,  and  slip 
it  into  the  person's  hand,  when  unobserved.  At  last 
those  in  our  room  decided  that  we  would  open  a 
correspondence  with  the  others,  and  bear  all  the  con- 
sequences, if  discovered.  As  Col.  Brophy  was  a 
practical  ens^incer,  he  suggested  drilling  a  hole 
through  the  brick  wall  that  partitioned  our  room 
from  that  in  which  Messrs.  J.  G.  Parker,  Montgo- 
mery, Morrison,  McCormick,  Durand,  Watson,  and 
others,  to  the  number  of  twenty-eight,  were.  One 
of  the  men  had  a  pocket  knife,  with  a  blade  in  the 
sluipe  of  a  dirk,  which  was  lashed  on  to  the  head  of 
a  oroom-handle ;  and  thus,  after  much  pains,  was  a 
hole  drilled  through  a  brick  wall  of  eighteen  inches. 
This  hole  was  round,  and  could  be  covered  with  a 
cent ;  and  it  was  so  placed,  that  it  was  easily  hidden  ; 
and  when  that  was  through,  we  began  a  correspond- 
ence with  the  others.  They  also  carried  on  the  route 
through  the  wall  into  the  neighbouring  room,  until, 
within  a  short  time,  we  had  a  general  post-route 
throughout  all  the  rooms  on  that  floor,  and  then,  by 
means  of  a  hole  in  the  floor,  communicated  with 
those  in  the  story  underneath,  and  perfected  a  me- 
dium of  correspondence  throughout.  The  paper 
written  upon  would  be  attached  to  a  rod,  and  after  a 
given  signal,  lest  there  were  spies  in  the  room,  we 
would  push  it  through.  We  occasionally  persuaded 
the  turnkey,  with  a  small  bribe,  to  bring  us  a  news- 
paper, which,  after  its  being  read  with  the  greatest 
avidity,  we  rolled  up  tightly,  lengthways,  and  it  went 
the  rounds.  None,  who  have  not  been  in  the  like 
situation,  can  imagine  the  comfort  we  took  in  that 


hi     -  i 


lit 


1G9 


nricet  prisoners 
called  out  on 
e  to  speak;  for 
i;  and  on  liis 
3nc  guilty  was 
11.  We,  how- 
i}g.  We  could 
other,  and  slip 
3rved.  At  last 
would  open  a 
\ir  all  the  con- 
3rophy  was  a 
rillit]g  a  hole 
lied  our  room 
rker,  Montgo- 
Watson,  and 
it,  were.  One 
I  blade  in  the 
to  the  head  of 
I  pains,  was  a 
^hteen  inches. 
)vered  with  a 
easily  hidden ; 
a  corrcspond- 
d  on  the  route 

room,  until, 
al  post-route 
and  then,  by 
micated  with 
rfected  a  me- 

The  paper 
d,  and  after  a 
he  room,  we 
ly  persuaded 
g  us  a  news- 
the  greatest 
3,  and  it  went 

in  the  like 
took  in  that 


1 


simple  affair,  as  wc  were  all  sanguine  in  the  result 
of  the  revolution.  We  cheered  one  another;  en- 
couraged those  who  were  desponding;  and  amused 
ourselves  generally  by  writing  to  each  other,  and 
giving  our  opinions  and  plans.  I  was  thus  enabled 
to  find  from  those  gentlemen,  individually,  the  feel- 
ings of  the  people  in  their  section  of  country ;  their 
opinions  of  the  cause  of  the  revolt;  and  their  own 
particular  sectional  as  well  as  general  grievances. 

We  had  also  contrived,  through  certain  friends 
outside,  some  telegraphic  signals  which  they  were 
to  make  in  a  certain  place,  that  would  not  be  noticed 
by  the  guards  who  surrounded  our  prison.  Many 
were  the  signals  we  had.  A  man  was  always  kept 
on  the  lookout,  and  as  it  was  always  the  ladies  who 
came,  they  were  not  so  much  observed,  nor  was 
there  so  much  danger  of  detection ;  and  besides,  to 
be  candid,  they  were  much  more  adventurous  than 
men.  I  often  wished  I  had  one  thousand  men  at 
my  command,  as  brave  and  as  resolute  as  those  la- 
dies of  Toronto,  that  I  might  turn  the  tables  on  our 
braggadocio  oppressors.  The  rumours  of  attack  were 
kept  up,  and  the  soldiers  night  and  day  in  a  constant 
state  of  alarm.  At  one  time  there  were  so  many 
thousand  in  the  Niagara  district,  at  another  an  army 
had  crossed  the  St.  Clair,  had  taken  London,  and 
were  advancing  by  forced  marches  upon  Toronto, 
each  day  bringing  its  tale  of  something  surprising, 
enlivening  us  and  saddening  themj  we  ^^lacing  on 
each  some  little  reliance,  although  disappointed  but 
the  day  previous.  It  all  had  a  good  effect,  too,  in 
keeping  up  our  spirits  and  preserving  health. 

When  the  government  found  that  neither  Col. 
Brophy  nor  myself  were  to  be  flattered  into  their 
particular  views,  and  that  so  far  from  seeming  to 
regret  what  had  been  done,  and  as  they,  I  presume, 
found  out  by  the  spies  they  kept  among  us  in  the 
different  rooms,  that  we  were  incorrigible,  they  re- 
sorted to  harsher  measures.  Some  papers  of  mine,  that 

15 


i 


M  i. 


I. 


il 


.suf- 


170 


«   • 


S' 


'i    1 


i'    .   i 


I* 


H' 


had  boon  intendc.'J  for  some  of  tho  prisoners,  v  .js 
handed  over  to  the  jailer,  and  on  his  laying  it  before 
tlie  authorities,  it  was  thouglit  a  good  excnse  for  or- 
dering us  to  be  put  in  cliains.  But  this  clfort  to 
humiliate  and  work  upon  our  feelings,  produced  the 
contrary  effect;  for  instead  of  thinking  ourselves  de- 
graded, we  thought  we  were  honoured  by  being  so 
feared  that  we  were  deemed  worthy  of  their  chains. 
Five  of  my  men,  who  could  not  stand  any  longer 
tlie  small  portion  of  food  allowed  them,  wrote  a 
petition,  without  my  knowledge,  to  the  governor, 
praying  him,  in  very  respectful  language,  as  they 
"Were  strangers,  without  friends  or  relations  in  the 
country,  to  bring  them  food,  that  he  would  order 
them  something  in  addition  to  what  they  were  in  the 
habit  of  receiving ;  they  also  stated  the  facts  of  their 
treatment  at  Maiden,  the  manner  in  which  they  had 
been  deprived  of  their  money,  and  prayed  his  ex- 
cellency, to  order  it  as  private  property  to  be  restored 
to  them,  that  they  might  provide  themselves  with 
necessaries  they  were  suffering  for.  This  they  con- 
trived to  get  into  the  post-office  by  some  person  go- 
ing out  of  prison,  and  in  a  day  or  two  after  I  was 
called  out  into  the  hall  by  the  sheriff,  where  I  saw 
the  poor  fellows  for  the  first  time  in  many  days. 
The  sheriff  asked  them  before  me  if  they  wrote  that 
petition,  how  they  had  sent  it  out,  and  how  they 
had  dared  to  write  any  thing  of  the  kind,  or  trouble 
his  excellency  with  their  complaints?  They  were 
then  sent  back  to  their  place  of  confinement,  and 
that  evening  ordered  down  below  to  the  dungeons. 
In  anwer  to  their  inquiry,  why  they  were  sent  there, 
the  turnkey  told  them  that  it  would  learn  them  to 
complain ;  that  that  was  the  way  they  served  those 
who  complained  that  were  well  enough  off.  They 
were  kept  there  until  by  the  damp  and  cold  they 
became  sick,  when  they  were  transferred  to  the  hos- 
pital. 


171 


insoucrs,  \v..s 
yiiig  it  before 
excuse  for  or- 
tliis  clfort  to 
produced  the 
ourselves  de- 
d  by  being  so 
f  their  chains, 
d  any  longer 
lem,  wrote  a 
the  governor, 
lagc,  as  they 
ations  in  the 
would  order 
y  were  in  tlie 
facts  of  their 
lich  they  had 
•ayed  his  ex- 
to  be  restored 
mselves  with 
his  they  con- 
le  person  go- 
after  I  was 
where  I  saw 
many  days. 
|y  wrote  that 
d  how  they 
,  or  trouble 
They  were 
ement,  and 
dungeons, 
sent  there, 
rn  them  to 
erved  those 
off.     They 
cold  they 
to  the  hos- 


ClIAPTER  XV. 

Arrival  of  Dodge — Capture  of  SutherlanJ,  hit)  attempt  at  suicide — his 
trial  by  a  court-martial,  and  sentence — Trialrt  and  sentence  of  Lount 
and  Matthews — Indictments — Trial  of  Montgomery,  Mordcn,  etc. 

On  or  about  the  20th  of  February,  Col.  Dodge, 
whom  we  had  left  woimded  at  Maiden,  was  brought 
down  to  Toronto.  Liltle  did  we  think,  when  we 
parted  from  him,  that  we  should  ever  meet  again  in 
this  world.  He  was  much  altered  in  appearance, 
pale  and  wan;  which,  together  with  the  loss  of  an 
eye,  had  so  changed  his  appearance  that  I  scarcely 
knew  him.  The  intelligence  he  brought  of  what 
had  taken  place  in  Michigan,  as  well  as  the  circum- 
stance of  his  being  sent  away  at  so  short  a  notice, 
led  us  to  conclude  that  something  would  be  done. 
When  he  beheld  us,  he  was  equally  shocked  with 
our  appearance,  for  we  were  loaded  with  safety 
chains,  a  species  of  dandyism,  which  he  thought 
ill  became  his  old  acquaintance. 

At  this  time,  Prince,  who  was  in  Toronto,  pre- 
tending, I  believe,  to  interest  himself  in  behalf  of 
Col.  Dodge,  but  he  left  very  suddenly  for  the  fron- 
tier, news  having  reached  him,  by  the  numerous 
spies  employed,  that  another  invasion  was  to  take 
place.  It  was  well  known  at  Toronto,  for  four  or 
five  days  before  the  affair  at  Fighting  Island  and  at 
Point  au  Pelee  Island,  that  such  was  to  take  place. 
That  at  Fighting  Island  took  place  on  the  24th  day 
of  February,  and  at  Point  au  Pelee  on  the  26th,  two 
days  afterwards.  From  the  reports  of  the  tory  officers 
we  conjectured  that  they  had  met  with  a  check, 
for  they  spoke  of  the  battle  as  having  been  well, 
fought,  and  they  had  killed  many  of  the  patriots,  and 
had  had  but  few  of  their  men  wounded.  We  reasoned 


m 


1 


''\ 


172 


M  } 


•  I 


f  ;f- 


r-> 


then  by  contraries,  for  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that 
the  British  never  will  admit  a  full  statement  of  their 
killed  and  wounded  to  be  published,  therefore  we 
knew  from  experience  that  they  were  stating  that 
which  was  not  true. 

A  red-coat,  one  would  think,  to  hear  them  talk, 
was  a  coat  of  mail.  And  the  greatest  number  they 
ever  will  admit  of  their  loss,  let  it  be  ever  so  serious, 
is  some  few  killed,  and  a  few  slightly  wounded. 

A  few  days  after,  news  arrived  confirming  our 
belief,  that  they  had  been  worsted  by  the  patriots, 
and  indeed,  we  well  knew  such  to  be  the  case,  from 
the  severity  exercised  towards  us.  Soon  after,  how- 
ever, we  learned  that  Sutherland  had  been  taken ; 
we  could  scarcely  believe  it,  especially  when  we 
heard  that  he  had  been  taken  on  the  ice,  by  one 
man,  and  that  man  John  Prince.  From  the  short 
acquaintance  I  had  had  with  Sutherland,  I  had 
formed  the  opinion,  that  he  was  brave  enough,  and 
no  one  man  could  capture  him,  and  that  he  was 
prudent  enough  not  to  place  himself  in  the  way  of 
danger,  without  being  well  prepared.  But  a  few 
days  decided  the  matter.  We  heard  he  had  arrived; 
but  could  scarcely  credit  it.  However,  when  the 
turnkey  came  to  sell  us  beer,  we  inquired  of  him, 
whether  he  had  any  thing  in  particular  to  communi- 
cate. He  had  previously  solemnly  assured  us,  that 
Mackenzie  had  been  taken,  and  that  he  had  himself, 
but  a  short  time  previously,  put  him  in  irons  in  the 
dungeon,  which  we  knew  to  be  false ;  for  at  that  very 
time  the  queen's  attorney,  and  the  attorney-general, 
were  endeavouring  to  bribe  us  with  offers  of  our 
liberty,  if  we  would  prevail  upon  our  friends  to 
kidnap  and  deliver  him  to  them,  and  on  such  deli- 
very we  should  be  set  at  liberty. 

To  them  the  matter  seemed  a  mere  business  affair, 
and  which  they  admitted  to  be  the  case,  and  I  be- 
lieve they  spoke  the  truth,  when  they  said,  if  they 
were  in  our  situations  they  would  not  hesitate  a  mo- 


173 


7n  fact,  that 

nent  of  their 

herefore  we 

stating  that 

r  them  talk, 
lumber  they 
)i  so  serious, 
ounded. 
ifirming  our 
the  patriots, 
e  case,  from 
I  after,  how- 
been  taken; 
y  when  we 
ice,  by  one 
tn  the  short 
[and,  I  had 
enough, and 
hat  he  was 
the  way  of 
But  a  few 
lad  arrived; 

when  the 
red  of  him, 

communi- 
red  us,  that 
lad  himself, 
rons  in  the 
at  that  very 
ey-general, 
Fers  of  our 

friends  to 

such  deli- 

ness  affair, 
and  I  be- 
lid,  if  they 
itate  a  mo- 


i 


ment.  But  little  did  the  scoundrels  know  our  feel- 
ings at  that  moment — the  love  we  bore  our  country, 
ever  to  have  had  our  national  flag  dishonoured  by 
one  of  our  own  citizens,  by  kidnapping  the  exile 
who  had  thrown  himself  under  its  folds  for  protec- 
tion from  the  tyranny  of  Britain.  Proud  am  I  to 
say,  that  that  and  similar  offers,  alike  degrading  and 
dishonourable,  were  spurned  with  contempt,  and 
that  the  answer  given  them  was,  "  death  rather  than 
dishonour." 

The  grand  jurors  were  now  summoned,  and  as 
they  had  had  intelligence  from  the  spies  along  the 
frontier,  that  nothing  more  would  be  attempted,  as 
a  mutual  understanding  existed  between  the  officers 
of  the  United  States  and  the  Canadian  government, 
who  were  in  command,  notwithstanding  the  outrage 
of  the  Caroline,  so  that  every  movement  of  the 
patriots  should  be  made  known  to  the  tories,  they 
began  to  Avork  their  hellish  system  of  revenge.  We 
were  visited  daily  by  numbers  of  the  most  rufHanly 
looking  characters,  hired  to  swear  against  us,  for  the 
purpose  that  they  might  "see  the  prisoners,"  so  as  to 
be  able  to  recognise  them  before  the  grand  jury.  Wo 
to  the  prisoner  who  had  the  least  valuable  property 
to  be  confiscated ;  for  these  perjurers  were  told  they 
were  to  have  the  property,  if  they  could  swear  suffi- 
ciently to  have  them  convicted.  They  were  generally 
the  vilest  of  the  vile  Orange  faction,  who  thought 
no  more  of  an  oath  than  they  would  of  the  most 
trivial  affair,  and  particularly  when  there  was  any 
thing  to  be  made  out  of  the  matter.  At  first,  and 
at  the  commencement  of  affairs,  there  was  evidently 
some  doubts  as  to  the  manner  the  home  government 
would  wish  the  prisoners  to  be  treated.  The  Eng- 
lish papers  had  come  out  in  severe  terms  against  Sir 
Francis  Bond  Head's  proceedings,  and  insisted  on 
his  recall ;  a  report  became  current,  that  he  was  to 
be  recalled,  and  his  place  to  be  supplied  with  an- 
other, in  the  pers')ii  of  Sir  George  Arthur.     For  a 

15* 


I !  ii 


t  f 


r 


HI 


11 ! 
! 
f 


I  iS'i  / 


W\ 


'\  i 


B    i 


■1     i 


174 

while  the  people  appeared  to  act  undecided ;  but  as 
soon  as  the  character  of  Sir  George  Arthur  was 
known,  and  judging  from  what  had  been  said  of 
him  and  the  ministry  sending  him  out,  tliat  nothing 
but  harsh  measures  would  be  resorted  to,  they  be- 
gan in  earnest.  Bills  of  indictment  were  found,  and 
placed  in  the  hands  of  those  in  prison  every  even- 
ing, by  a  Mr.  Sherwood,  who  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  queen's  counsel,  at  the  same  time  bringing  with 
him  two  persons  to  witness  the  delivery. 

A  law  had  been  passed  at  that  time,  giving  the 
power  to  the  colonial  government  to  pardon  any 
person,  accused  of  treason  and  indicted,  if  he  would, 
before  his  trial,  confess  his  guilt,  together  with  the 
condition  that  his  property,  both  real  and  personal, 
should  be  confiscated  forever :  or  the  person  could 
be  banished  from  the  province  for  a  given  period  or 
perpetually,  on  such  forfeiture  of  his  property.  This 
was  said  to  be  owing  to  the  vast  numbers  of  persons 
indicted  who  could  not  be  tried,  as  the  time  of  their 
trials  would  occupy  the  whole  summer,  being  not  less 
than  from  three  hundred  to  four  hundred  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Toronto  alone  that  were  indicted,  besides 
the  great  expense  they  were  under  in  maintaining 
the  prisoners,  "  fattening  them  for  the  gallows,"  as 
the  Montreal  Herald  remarked,  and  the  numerous 
guard  required  to  watch  over  them ;  and,  above  all, 
the  necessity  of  not  driving  the  people  to  desperation, 
in  the  present  state  of  the  province.  A  list  of  those 
who  need  not  expect  mercy  was  made  out,  and  the 
attorneys  being  all,  with  few  exceptions,  of  the 
tory  school,  their  interests  were  looked  to.  They  re- 
ceived fees  from  prisoners  to  plead  for  them ;  they 
directed  them  to  petition  for  pardon  and  save  life 
with  loss  of  property,  stating  that  if  they  were  tried 
they  would  be  executed.  All  the  judicial  talent  at 
the  bar  was  secured  by  the  government,  and  the 
others  charged  exorbitantly  for  their  services.  One 
hundred  dollars  was  thought  nothing  of  as  a  retain- 


led ;  but  as 
Arthur  was 
!en  said  of 
lat  nothing 
to,  they  be- 
found,  and 
jvery  even- 
le  capacity 
inging  with 

giving  the 

)ardon  any 

f  he  would, 

3r  with  the 

d  personal, 

erson  could 

n  period  or 

erty.    This 

i  of  persons 

me  of  their 

ng  not  less 

1  the  neigh- 

:  ed,  besides 

iiintaining 

Hows,"  as 

numerous 

above  all, 

speration, 

It  of  those 

lit,  and  the 

b,  of  the 

They  re- 

lem;  they 

save  life 

'"ere  tried 

talent  at 

and  the 

les.     One 

a  retain- 


1^ 


175 

ing  fee,  and  that,  too,  in  a  place  where  there  were 
such  a  number  to  be  tried. 

Indictments  were  coming  in  continually.  Still  there 
was  none  found  against  us.  We  could  not  imagine 
what  they  would  do  with  us,  knowing  that,  as  Ameri- 
can citizens,  they  could  not  try  us  for  treason,  not 
owing  allegiance  to  the  queen  :  and  they  appeared 
to  be  of  the  same  opinion.  A  few  days  after  we 
were  taken,  a  law  was  passed,  that  all  citizens  of  the 
United  States  taken  in  arms  fighting  against  hei* 
majesty,  or  aiding  and  abetting  the  rebels,  should  be 
tried  by  court  martial,  and  if  found  guilty  should 
suffer  death.  This  law  being  de  facto  a  law  made 
after  we  were  taken  prisoners,  they  could  not  well 
try  us  under  it ;  but  as  they  cared  litth;  what  they 
did,  they  passed  laws  as  the  emergency  required. 
We  were  called  brigands  and  pirates ;  yet,  as  such, 
we  could  not  lawfully  be  tried  ;  for,  in  the  first  place, 
we  had  not  committed  any  act  of  piracy  ;  and,  again, 
they  had  no  laws  in  the  province  to  punish  that 
offence,  had  we  been  guilty  ;  nor  had  they  any  court 
of  admiralty,  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  lawyers 
that  we  would  have  to  go  to  England,  and  there  be 
tried ;  but  it  would  not  satiate  their  love  of  blood  to 
let  us  slip  out  of  their  hands.  They  feared  England, 
against  the  crown  of  which  they  said  the  offence  was 
committed,  might  be  too  lenient  with  us,  and  ihf  y 
would  not  be  able  to  have  their  vengeance  glutted 
On  the  24th  of  March,  however,  the  question,  so  far 
as  their  right  to  try  us,  was  settled.  On  the  eveniug 
of  that  day  I  was  presented  with  a  copy  of  an  indict- 
ment by  the  queen's  counsel,  setting  forth  that, 
"whereas  Edward  Alexander  Theller,  of  the  town- 
ship of  Maiden,  in  the  western  district,  Stephen  B. 
Brophy,  of  the  township  and  district  aforesaid,  and 
Walter  Chase,  of  the  township  of  Yarmouth,  in  the 
London  district,  ncJt  having  the  fear  of  God  before 
their  eyes,  and  instigated  by  the  devil,  nor  weighing 
the  allegiance  they  owed  to  her  majesty  the  queen  ; 


1 1 


J 

1 


'> 


\ 


I 


176 


,    |H! 


'  f 


'  f ' 


II.' 


did,  on  the  ninth  day  of  January,  traitorously  as- 
semble with  wicked  and  evil  designing  men  to  the 
number  of  five  hundred  and  upwards,  armed  with 
swords,  pistols,  muskets,  cannon,  dirks,  bowie-knives, 
and  other  warlike  weapons,  and  traitorously  de- 
vised the  death  of  her  majesty  the  queen,  and  with 
force  and  arms  did  then  and  there,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

This  was  a  grave  charge,  certainly,  but  we  could 
not  but  laugh  in  the  face  of  the  learned  counsel  in 
giving  us  a  domicil  at  Maiden,  and  traitorously  de- 
vising the  death  of  a  little  girl  in  England,  three 
thousand  miles  off.  It  was  rather  insulting  to  both 
Brophy  and  myself,  as  Irishmen,  who  are  proverbial 
for  their  love  of  the  ladies,  that  we,  of  all  the  rest, 
should  be  accused  of  such  an  offence.  None  of  the 
other  prisoners  taken  on  board  the  schooner  were 
mentioned,  unless  they  were  thought  to  be  part  and 
parcel  of  the  five  hundred  wicked  and  evil-designing 
men,  with  whom  we  had  traitorously  conspired  to 
rob  her  dear  little  majesty  of  her  life,  "  against  her 
sovereign  will,  her  crown  and  dignity." 

As  Sutherland  was  taken  after  the  "act  for  trying 
citizens  of  the  United  States  taken  in  arms,"  was 
passed,  he  was  not  brought  to  prison,  but  confined 
at  the  garrison  where  the  court-martial  was  to  sit. 
He  was  furnished  with  quarters  there,  and  guardet' 
by  the  regular  soldiers  who  were  in  the  garrison. 
The  evening  previous  to  the  court-martial  convening, 
he  obtained  an  interview  with  Sir  Francis,  when  he 
wanted,  as  was  natural  with  a  man  in  like  circum- 
stances— Midshipman  Easy  like — to  reason  the  mat- 
ter with  him,  in  regard  to  the  absurdity  of  taking  his 
life.  It  was  said  of  him,  that  he  offered,  in  case  his 
life  should  be  spared,  to  make  certain  disclosures 
that  would  implicate  gentlemen  in  the  province  who 
were  not  even  suspected  by  the  government,  who 
had  aided  and  assisted  in  the  matter ;  together  with 
some  of  the  state  authorities  of  New  York  and  Michi- 
gan, and  also  of  the  United  States ;  but  not  having 


:-   i 


S,' 


»roiisly  as- 
nen  to  the 
rmed  with 
i''ie-knives, 
rously  de- 
,  and  with 
;.  &c. 

t  we  could 
counsel  in 
u'ously  de- 
and,  three 
ng  to  both 
proverbial 
I  the  rest, 
one  of  the 
oner  were 
e  part  and 
-designing 
nspired  to 
gainst  her 

for  trying 


ms 


j> 


was 


t  confined 

I'^as  to  sit. 
guardec! 
garrison. 

9nvening, 
when  he 
circum- 
ihe  mat- 

aking  his 
case  his 
sclosures 

ince  who 
ent,  who 
her  with 
d  Michi- 
t  having 


177 

any  documents  with  him  to  substantiate  the  matter, 
the  governor  lent  an  unwiUing  ear.  The  papers  by 
which  he  could  prove  these  facts,  he  said,  were 
stolen  from  him  while  in  Detroit,  and  in  the  pursuit 
of  which  b'*  had  been,  when  taken.  The  governor 
informed  him  that  he  could  not  interfere  with  what 
he  termed  the  "due  course  of  law;"  at  the  same  time 
plainly  and  politely  informing  him — for  Sir  Francis 
prided  himself  much  on  his  politeness — that  the  court 
would  find  him  guilty,  and  that  he  would  be  hanged; 
and  concluded  by  saying  that  he,  Sutherland,  was 
old  enough,  had  made  his  election,  and  must  now 
suffer  the  consequences  There  is  not  a  doubt  in 
my  mind  but  if  Sutherlau  ^  had  been  tried  the  next 
day,  as  was  anticipated,  tiie  court,  composed  as  it 
was,  and  from  the  tone  of  the  official  papers,  would 
have  found  him  guilty;  and  that  immediately  after 
their  sentence,  he  would  have  been  executed.  But 
he  foiled  them.  On  retiring  to  his  quarters,  he  ob- 
tained some  warm  water  to  ba*be,  as  he  said,  his 
feet ;  and  when  the  constable,  wno  remained  in  the 
room  to  watch  him,  had  fallen  asleep,  he  sat  on  the 
bed,  placed  his  feet  in  the  water,  tied  up  his  arm  and 
his  feet,  and  with  a  penknife  vrhich  he  had  borrowed 
from  one  of  the  guards  to  make  a  pen,  he  opened  a 
vein  in  each  foot  andfin  his  arm.  When  the  blood 
began  to  flow,  he  leaned  himself  back  on  the  bed, 
which  aroused  the  offi'er,  who,  on  finding  iiis  pri- 
soner did  not  answer  him  when  spoken  to,  thought 
he  had  fallen  asleep,  and  attempted  to  arouse  him, 
but  perceiving  the  blood  flowing  freely,  he  gave  the 
alarm.  Now  as  the  soldier  could  rot  leave  his  post, 
and  the  length  of  time  ere  the  sergeant  of  the  guard 
could  arrive,  and  then  go  for  the  surgeon,  was  longer 
than  was  anticipated,  Sutherland  had  fainted  in 
reality,  and  had  likely  to  have  carried  the  joke  far- 
ther tiian  he  intended.  On  the  arrival  of  the  sur- 
geon and  the  officers  of  the  guard,  with  others  of  the 


;! 


^ 


!! 


178 


.1  a 


P! 


H 


1  'I 


\l 


mess,  they  did  what  was  necessary  to  arrest  the 
hemorrhage.  The  officers,  on  looking  about,  dis- 
covered some  letters  which  Sutherland  had  written 
before  the  affair,  and  directed  them  unsealed  to  the 
care  of  the  commanding  officer.  They  were  read  by 
the  officers,  to  find  if  they  could  not  throw  some  light 
on  the  matter.  In  them  was  found  his  reasons  for 
committing  the  act,  as  well  as  conveying  his  last 
wishes,  with  some  trifling  bequests  which  he  had 
made  to  certain  individuals,  as  well  as  some  insinua- 
tions as  to  the  fate  that  awaited  him  when  tried  by 
militia  officers,  with,  t)f  course,  some  complimentary 
remarlis  in  regard  to  the  regular  officers ;  which  last, 
knov-^aig  there  was  no  good-will  existing  bciween 
th^iin  find  the  militia,  was  a  most  politic  movre,  and 
he  tinu'eby  secured  an  interest  in  his  favour  which 
!ifc  I'-iifiw  would  have  its  effect.  It  was  some  time 
ceiore  he  recovered  from  his  weakness  so  as  to  have 
his>  t"\v.\,  during  which  time,  however,  he  had  every 
caro  ;aken  of  him,  so  as  to  be  ab)o  to  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible undergo  the  trial.  Meanwhile,  the  new  go- 
vernor. Sir  George  Arthur,  arrived;  and  soon  as 
Sutherland  was  able,  the  trial  proceeded.  He  had 
the  assistance  of  able  counsel.  George  Ridout,  Esq. 
and  others,  volunteered  their  aid :  and  on  his  trial, 
it  was  said,  he  shov/ed  considerable  tact  in  cross- 
examining  the  witnesses,  and  in  his  defence  before 
the  court.  The  court  differing  among  themselves 
in  regard  to  the  constitutionality  oJ  the  law,  or  at 
least  the  carrying  into  execution  such  a  measure, 
until  the  lav^  was  sanctioned  by  the  home  govern- 
ment, they  wisely  agreed,  that,  if  according  to  that 
law  they  should  hang  hiin,  an<^  the  imperial  parlia- 
ment not  concur  in  the  right  assumed  by  the  legis- 
lature of  Upper  Canada  in.  passing  it,  discretion 
would  be  found  the  better  pait  of  valour.  "If  he  be 
hung,"  said  one,  "we  cannot  recall  him  to  life 
again.''     So  they  agreed,  and  gave  their  verdict, 


)  arrest  the 
about,  dis- 
had  written 
ealed  to  the 
ere  read  by 
7  some  hght 
reasons  for 
ing  his  last 
lich  he  had 
me  insinua- 
en  tried  by 
iplimentary 
which  last, 
ig  bciween 
;  move,  and 
voLir  which 
some  time 
I  as  to  have 
i  had  every 
icon  as  pos- 
e  new  go- 
id  soon  as 
.     He  had 
idout,  Esq. 
1  his  trial, 
in  cross- 
nce  before 
lemselves 
aw,  or  at 
measure, 
le  govern- 
g  to  that 
al  parlia- 
the  legis- 
discretion 
af  hebe 
■n  to   life 
verdict, 


179 

"that  the  prisoner, Thomas  Jefferson  Sutherland,  be 
transported  as  a  felon  to  one  of  her  majesty's  penal 
colonies,  for  the  term  of  his  natural  life." 

There  seemed  to  be  among  the  tories  a  great  deal 
of  dissatisfaction  on  the  subject  of  the  verdict,  which, 
had  been  kept  for  several  days  secret;  but  to  palliate 
the  matter,  the  Patriot,  (the  olFicial  paper,)  came  out 
with  a  statement  that  Sutherland  would  be  useful 
to  them,  having  made  important  disclosures  to  the 
governor.  Whether  he  had  or  not  I  do  not  know, 
but  that  there  were  warrants  issued  for  the  arrest  of 
individuals  hitherto  unsuspected  by  the  authorities, 
and  wlio  absconded  the  next  morning,  are  facts  well 
known  to  all  those  who  at  that  time  were  in  To- 
ronto. 

The  trials  of  those  indictee^  now  began  to  come 
on,  and  as  numbers  were  petitioning  the  governor 
for  pardon,  Messrs.  Lount,  Matthews,  Brophy,  An- 
derson, Montgomery,  Durand,  and  others,  petitioned. 
They  received  for  answer  that  the  governor  and 
council  had  examined  into  their  case,  and  were  of 
the  opinion  they  must  stand  their  trial  and  abide  the 
issue,  as  the  government  could  not  interfere  to  save 
them  from  the  offended  laws  of  their  country.  I  did 
not  apply  for  pardon,  for  the  following  reasons:  First, 
I  knew  I  had  been  set  down  on  the  black  list  as  one 
who  must  be  executed ;  and,  secondly,  that,  as  an 
American  citizen,  I  was  resolved  never  to  degrade 
myself  by  saying  that  I  could  be  or  was  guilty  of 
treason,  thereby  tacitly  admitting  myself  to  be  a 
subject  of  Great  Britain.  I  spurned  the  thought,  as 
unworthy  of  my  birth  and  my  adopted  country, 
and  expecting  nothing  from  their  mercy,  only  had 
hope  founded  upon  their  fears,  which,  as  the  '^equel 
proved,  was  well  entertained. 

The  first  intimation  I  had  of  what  I  might  expect, 
was  from  a  tory  gentleman  from  Detroit,  who  was 
said  to  be  a  spy,  and  whi'  h  after-circumstances  con- 
vinced me  to  be  a  fact.     He  called  to  see  me,  and 


I 


Ml 


t  II  i  ■ 


I       H, 


t     t 


!i      . 


'  ,t 


i      t 


180 

as  he  was  the  first  person  who  had  leave  to  call  on 
me  from  my  home,  I  was  anxious  to  hear  some  news 
from  my  family.  After  some  little  conversation, 
which  on  my  part  was  gay  and  cheerful,  I  perceived 
that  he  was  labouring  under  some  little  difficulty  as 
to  the  performance  of  some  very  unpleasant  errand. 
I  made  some  inquiries  about  what  was  going  on  in 
Michigan,  and  in  badinage  remarked  that  I  hoped 
to  see  him  ere  long  in  Detroit,  and  over  a  bottle  of 
wine,  we  would  canvass  these  strange  aflairs. 

"  You  will  never  see  Detroit." 

"  Never !  Indeed :  and  from  whom  have  you  that 
information  ?" 

"  From  good  authority." 

"Well,  what  do  they  intend  to  do  with  me — ^hang 
me,  I  suppose  ? 

"  Yes,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  you  must  be  hanged. 
I  had  it  from  the  governor  himself,  who  said  it  must 
be  done  as  an  example  to  our  people,  to  prevent 
their  interference  with  that,  you  know,  they  have  no 
right  to  interfere." 


"  We  will  not  argue  that  matter  now,"  said  I, 
"  but  I  would  like  to  know  how  it  is  you  are  so  in- 
timate with  the  governor,  that  he  tells  you  ivhat  must 
be  my  fate,  even  before  I  am.  tried.  But,  on  re- 
flection, I  understand  the  matter.  You  may  go  and 
tell  the  governor,  I  will  see  Detroit  again,  and  I  will 
live  long  enough  there  to  expose  you.  Good  morn- 
ing, sir. 

I  had  some  idea,  from  what  I  had  witnessed,  of 
the  feeling  towards  me,  but  still  I  was  puzzled  and 
surprised  that  the  governor  should  so  far  commit 
himself  as  to  state  what  must  be  the  fate  of  one, 
who  by  their  own  laws  must  be  considered  innocent 
until  he  was  proved  guilty.  I  saw,  however,  how 
matters  stood,  and  prepared  myself  to  act  accord- 
mgly.  I  perceived,  that  the  only  alternative  I  had, 
was,  to  follow  the  bent  of  my  natural  inclination — 
fight  it  out  to  the  last.     If  they  tried  mo  as  a  sub- 


11        \\ 


ive  to  call  on 
ar  some  news 
conversation, 
il,  I  perceived 
e  difficulty  as 
asant  errand, 
s  going  on  in 
that  I  hoped 
er  a  bottle  of 
affairs. 

lave  you  that 


th  me — hang 

st  be  hanged. 
)  said  it  must 
2,  to  prevent 
they  have  no 

ow/'  said  I, 
ni  are  so  in- 
-1  what  must 
But,  on  re- 
may  go  and 
n,  and  I  will 
Good  morn- 

■'itnessed,  of 
)uzzled  and 
'ar  commit 
ate  of  one, 
ed  innocent 
tv^ever,  how 
act  accord- 
itive  I  had, 
clination — 

■0  as  a  sub- 


181 

ject  of  Great  Britain,  notwithstai.ding  my  citizen- 
ship, they  gave  me  a  powerful  appeal  to  my  own 
government,  and  if  they  succeeded  in  carrying  their 
plan  into  execution,  I  would  be  sacrificed,  but  my 
death  would  do  more  for  the  freedom  of  Canada, 
than  I  could  if  living.  It  would  be  another  strong 
argument  for  the  United  States  to  demand  redress, 
and  which,  from  the  nature  of  our  people  in  gene- 
ral, and  of  naturalized  citizens  in  particular,  the 
president  would  be  obhged,  whether  willing  or  not, 
to  notice.  To  be  sure,  it  would  put  me  oui'.  of  the 
way  of  doing  mischief,  but  there  would  be  tlie  con- 
solation of  there  being  added  thousands  of  better 
men  to  the  standard,  who  would  rally  and  teach 
England,  if  she  mus'.  have  us  for  her  subjects  for 
hanging,  they  could  sow  their  own  hemp,  and  reap 
it  with  their  own  sickles,  and  from  British  soil  too. 

The  first  of  the  state  trials  were  those  of  Messrs. 
Lount  and  Matthews.  They  were  advised  by  their 
counsel  to  plead  guilty  to  the  indictments,  and  throw 
themselves  on  the  mercy  of  the  government.  As 
the  new  governor  had  not  as  yet  had  time  to  mix 
with  the  cabal  that  had  wrought  upon  the  passions 
of  his  vain  fopling  of  a  predecessor — and  from  the 
opinion,  that  although  the  present  governor  was  of 
the  ultra  tory  school  in  politics — his  recent  arrival 
with  instructions  from  the  home  government,  as  they 
were  informed,  to  act  as  pacificator  to  the  Cana- 
dians, and  also  thinking  that  he  brought  with  him 
the  manly  frankness  of  the  old  soldier,  the  wish  to 
show  the  people  that  England  was  strong  enough  to 
be  merciful  to  a  fallen  enemy,  as  he  had  stated  in 
answer  to  an  address,  congratulating  him  on  his  ar- 
rival among  them,  by  the  citizens  of  Toronto ;  and, 
in  fact,  that  as  the  revolution  had  now  ceased,  and 
no  measures  which  the  people  might  have  antici- 
pated for  vengeance,  would  be  resorted  to,  mercy 
might  be  extended. 

i  was  much  opposed  to  my  friend  Lount's  plead- 

16 


w 


'  1 


!  ? 


! 


II 


I 


f 


♦Ww 


^Ifl^ 


',  ;  I 


1^ 


i: 


I 


11 


n 


J 


I  i 


i 


Hi! 


Ilii  I- 


r.  i  W  P 


^if'i  f : 


14 


I  'I 

If 

I-! 


it  I  ^-^ 


182 

ing  guilty  to  the  charge,  as  I  was  certain  that  other 
things,  wliich  they  could  not  prove,  and  of  wliich  he 
was  not  guilty,  would  be  laid  to  his  charge  ;  and,  as 
to  any  faith  in  the  mercy  of  the  government,  I  had 
never  dreamed  of  it.  However,  ho,  as  well  as  Mr. 
Matthews,  followed  the  wishes  of  their  legal  ad- 
visers, one  of  whom  was  a  tory,  and  the  other,  a  very 
timid  reformer,  who,  in  fact,  was  almost  afraid  to 
take  their  cases  in  hand,  or  speak  on  the  subject, 
for  fear  of  offending  the  ruling  powers.  They,  by 
so  doing,  virtually,  I  thought  then,  and  still  think, 
threw  away  their  lives. 

On  the  29th  March,  they  were  called  upon  to  re- 
ceive their  sentence,  which  was,  that  they  should  be 
executed  on  the  12th  April.  Although  we  expected 
it,  yet  it  took  us  by  surprise,  that  there  was  no  more 
time  allowed  them.  It  had  been  the  opinion  of  all, 
that  the  governor  would  at  least  take  time  to  have 
the  British  government  notified,  and  receive  their 
advice.  When  they  returned  from  the  prison,  they 
were  chained  anew,  and  removed  from  our  room 
into  the  condemned  cells. 

After  the  sentence  of  Messr;;.  Lount  and  Matthews, 
the  cou^t  adjourned  for  some  days ;  when  John  An- 
derson, of  Toronto,  was  called  ;  and  he,  also,  by  the 
advice  of  his  legal  advisers — tories — plead  guilty. 
Gilbert  F.  Morden  stood  his  trial,  and  was  found 
guilty  of  treason;  having  been  found  in  arms  at 
Montgomery's,  and  on  his  way  to  the  United  States, 
with  some  letters  found  upon  him,  from  some  of  the 
patriot  leaders,  to  certain  influential  citizens,  begging 
the  aid  of  Americans  for  some  future  rising ;  which 
was  thought  a  matter  so  heinous,  that  he  could  not 
expect  mercy.  John  Montgomery's  trial  lasted  a 
whole  day.  Nothing  could  be  proved  against  him, 
but  that,  at  his  tavern-stand,  a  short  distance  from 
Toronto,  and  which  he  had  rented,  the  people  had 
assembled,  and  he,  as  a  public  tavern-keeper,  had 
given  them  food,  when  they  demanded  and  paid  for 


that  other 
f  which  he 
;e ;  and,  as 
[lent,  I  had 
veil  as  Mr. 

legal  ad- 
her,  a  very 
t  afraid  to 
:he  subject, 

They,  by 
still  think, 

upon  to  re- 
\f  should  be 
'e  expected 
as  no  more 
nion  of  all, 
me  to  have 
iceive  their 
)rison,  they 
\  our  room 

Matthews, 
1  John  An- 
lIso,  by  the 
jad  guilty, 
was  found 
in  arms  at 
|ited  States, 
•me  of  the 
IS,  begging 
ig;  which 
could  not 
,1  lasted  a 
;ainst  him, 
ince  from 
leople  had 
seper,  had 
Id  paid  for 


183 

it.  It  wns  not  proved  that  he  had  been  in  arms,  ad- 
vised with  the  revolutionists,  or  aided  them  in  tho 
slightest  degree.  But  lie  had  been  a  reformer — was 
a  man  of  wealth  :  his  buildings,  valued  at  5^20,000, 
had  been  burnt  by  order  of  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head ; 
and,  if  not  found  guilty,  tlie  property  of  a  man  who 
had  always  been  the  supporter  of  INIackenzie,  would 
have  to  be  refunded,  as  the  burning  had  taken  place 
before  the  passage  of  an  act  by  the  legislature,  called 
the  indemnity  act.  This  act  was  to  indemnify,  and 
keep  harmless,  justices  of  the  peace,  oflicers  of  the 
militia,  and  other  persons  in  authority  in  the  ^-o- 
vince,  as  well  as  divers  loyal  subjects,  against  ig 
harassed  by  actions  at  law,  or  complaints  ol  any 
kind,  for  illegal  arrests,  and  detention  or  destruction  of 
property  of  persons  suspected  of  treason,  misprision 
of  treason,  or  treasonable  practices.  So,  Montgome- 
ry, on  these  grounds,  was  found  guilty,  and  his  pro- 
perty thereby  confiscated.  He  was,  however,  re- 
commended to  mercy  by  the  jury.  Mercy !  Ye 
gods,  how  merciful  to  rob,  plunder,  and  burn,  and 
cast  an  honourable  man's  family  upon  the  cold 
charity  of  the  world,  and  then  console  him,  by  say- 
ing, we  will  recommend  to  the  chief  of  our  banditti, 
that  your  life  be  spared ;  but  let  him  doom  you  to 
chains  and  slavery  "  for  the  remainder  of  your  natu- 
ral life." 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

^Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  USSO 

(716)  872-4503 


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'^  i 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Proceedings  at  Camp,  and  in  Detroit,  after  the  capture  of  the  Ann — 
Conduct  of  the  United  States  Authorities — Buttles  at  Fighting  Island, 
and  Point  au  Pelee. 

The  arrival  in  Toronto  of  certain  American  friends, 
furnished  me  privately  with  interesting  and  correct 
information  from  my  friends  in  Detroit,  and  at  dif- 
ferent points  on  the  frontier ;  which  had  the  tendency 
to  dissipate  time,  and  relieve  my  mind  from  much 
anxiety.  At  the  camp  on  Sugar  Island,  the  troops, 
about  four  hundred  in  number,  had  busied  them- 
selves, during  the  day  of  the  ninth  of  January,  in 
erecting  temporary  barracks,  completing  their  mus- 
ter-roll, and  drilling.  They  had  been  left  by  Suth- 
erland with  only  a  yawl  boat,  and,  of  course,  could 
not  come  to  our  aid,  or  force  their  wny  through  to  a 
rescue,  on  hearing  the  cannonading,  and  witnessing 
the  flash  of  the  guns,  during  the  action  and  capture 
of  the  schooner  Ann.  About  one  hour  before  the 
firing  commenced,  so  anxious  was  the  officer  in 
command  to  learn  our  position,  and  to  ascertain  the 
reason  why  Sutherland  neither  sent  back  the  boats 
from  Bois  Blanc,  nor  forwarded  him  information, 
that  he  sent  the  small  boat,  with  an  officer  and  fif- 
teen men,  with  directions  to  require  an  explanation 
from  Sutherland,  and  then,  if  possible,  to  reach  the 
schooner,  to  communicate  some  important  informa- 
tion from  Detroit  to  me.  This  information  was  to 
the  efl!ect  that  the  steamboat.  Little  Erie,  would  be 
seized  that  night  to  transport  to  the  island  an  addi- 
tion to  our  forces,  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and 
further  supplies  in  arms,  ammunition,  and  provi- 
sions. This  boat  reached  Bois  Blanc,  as  the  liring 
commenced,  but  not  in  time  to  cross  the  island,  and 


\  1 


i 


!  of  the  Ann — 
r'ighting  Island, 


can  friends, 
and  correct 
and  at  dif- 
le  tendency 
from  much 
,  the  troops, 
isied  tliem- 
January,  in 
their  mus- 
)ft  by  Suth- 
)urse,  could 
1  rough  to  a 
witnessing 
,nd  capture 

before  the 

officer  in 
scertain  the 
V  the  boats 
[iformation, 
cer  and  fif- 
xplanation 

reach  the 
nt  informa- 
tion was  to 

would  be 
d  an  addi- 
y  men,  and 
and  provi- 
3  the  firing 
island,  and 


1S5 

witness  the  issue ;  but,  whilst  on  their  way  to  Suth- 
erland's camp,  at  the  light-house,  met  him  rumiing 
at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and  crying  to  them  to  run 
back  to  the  boat,  which  was  lying  about  a  half 
mile  below  the  larger  boats,  and  reached  in  a  few 
miimtes,  he  puffing  and  blowing,  and  saying  all  was 
lost.  Then,  on  reaching  the  boat,  he  leaped  in,  and 
insisted  upon  being  rowed  immediately  across  to 
Sugar  Island. 

When  within  speaking  distance,  it  was  observed 
by  those  on  the  island — who  had  been  watching  the 
firing  with  the  most  intense  anxiety, — that  the  men 
were  pushing  off*  the  larger  boats,  and  also  making 
for  the  same  destination.  The  small  boat  was  then 
challenged,  it  being  so  dark  that  the  persons  in  it 
could  not  be  distinguished,  and  coming  to,  at  an  op- 
posite point  of  the  island  from  the  regular  landing. 

"  Boat,  ahoy  !     Who  are  you  ?" 

"  General  Sutherland  and  your  reconnoitring 
party.  The  schooner  is  taken,  and  all  on  board 
murdered." 

"  What  do  you  here,  then  ?  Why  not  move  the 
boats  around  to  the  rescue." 

"  They  are  frozen  in,  and  we  can't  get  them  off"." 

"  That's  false  ;  they  are  afloat  now,  and  heading 
this  way." 

The  coward  then  came  on  shore,  and  was  received 
by  the  upbraiding  curses  of  both  officers  and  men, 
he  in  command  even  refusing  him  the  shelter  his 
temporary  quarters  afl!brded. 

After  some  time  the  large  boats,  which  were  heavy 
and  hard  to  manage  against  a  strong  current,  effected 
a  landing,  and  as  the  men  came  on  shore,  gnashing 
their  teeth  and  shaking  their  clenched  hands,  they 
demanded  the  immediate  punishment  of  their  traitor 
leader,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  they  could 
be  persuaded  from  exercising  summary  vengeance, 
and  induced  to  submit  to  military  discipline.  It  ap- 
peared, that  during  the  action  with  the  Ann,  a  mus- 

16* 


m 


if 


I. 


I) 


i 


186 


i^! 


^^1-  •!■  I 


t    ; 


•,       4     , 


m  -' 


ket  ball  had  struck  on  die  shore  near  the  party  of 
Sutherland,  where  he  was  coolly  looking  upon  the 
fate  of  his  comrades,  which  so  alarmed  him,  that  he 
immediately  fled,  calling  out  to  his  men  to  fol- 
low him.  He,  however,  had  the  longest  legs,  and 
was  soon  out  of  sight,  when,  falling  in  with  the 
party  from  the  small  boat,  we  have  mentioned,  he 
altered  his  course,  and  left  his  followers  to  shift  for 
themselves,  in  doubt  as  to  his  intentions  whether  to 
move  around  to  the  relief  of  the  Ann,  or  cross  to 
Sugar  Island ;  but,  after  some  time,  espying  him  in 
the  small  boat,  they  pushed  after  him,  when  it  would 
not  have  taken  five  minutes  to  have  moved  around 
the  point  of  Bois  Blanc,  from  where  they  lay,  and 
with  nothing  but  the  force  of  the  current,  have  come 
alongside  of  the  Ann,  recaptured  her,  preserved 
their  friends,  and  taken  the  town,  which  was  ex- 
pected, not  only  by  us,  but  by  all  the  tories  in 
Maiden. 

It  was  now  ascertained,  that  there  was  scarcely  a 
round  of  cartridges  in  the  camp,  and  a  boat  promptly 
despatched  to  Gibraltar,  where  there  was  a  store  of 
ammunition  on  hand,  and  every  preparation  made 
for  a  movement  at  daylight  of  the  next  morning. 
This  boat  was  forced  to  cut  its  way  through  the  ice 
for  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half,  in  one  of  the  coldest 
nights  of  the  season,  and  it  was  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  before  it  reached  Gibraltar,  and  the  ice  was 
then  forming  so  fast  that  it  would  have  been  ut- 
terly impossible  to  have  made  its  way  back  with  oars. 

Meantime,  at  Detroit,  the  party  who  were  to  cut 
out  the  steamboat  Little  Erie,  and  join  the  forces, 
hearing  the  cannonading,  had  hurried  their  move- 
ment. Their  arms  were  got  on  board.  The  fresh 
troops,  who  were  from  the  banks  of  the  St.  Clair, 
Macomb,  and  Oakland  county,  and  all  choice  rifle- 
men, got  on  board  before  the  alarm  was  given,  an 
excitement  being  created  by  the  ringing  of  the  bells, 
and  a  general  feint,  simultaneous  from  all  directions. 


P   |: 


the  parly  of 
ing  upon  the 
[  him,  that  he 

men  to  fol- 
jest  legs,  and 

in  with  the 
nentioned,  he 
rs  to  shift  for 
lis  whether  to 
n,  or  cross  to 
pying  him  in 
7hen  it  would 
[lOved  around 
tliey  lay,  and 
It,  have  come 
)r,  preserved 
lich  was  ex- 
the   tories  in 

'^as  scarcely  a 
3oat  promptly 
iras  a  store  of 
iration  made 
ext  morning, 
rough  the  ice 
of  the  coldest 
> 'clock  in  the 

I  the  ice  was 
ive  been  ut- 
ick  with  oars. 

were  to  cut 

II  the  forces, 
their  move- 

The  fresh 
he  St.  Clair, 
choice  rifle- 
as  given,  an 
of  the  bells, 
11  directions. 


However,  before  they  could  raise  steam  on  board, 
the  Brady  Guards  were  turned  out  with  the  United 
States  marshal  at  their  head,  with  a  posse  of  tories, 
and  an  attempt  was  made  to  secure  the  boat.  Find- 
ing all  remonstrances,  commands,  or  threats,  una- 
vailing, the  marshal  ordered  them  to  be  fired  upon. 
The  Bradys,  of  course,  obeyed  the  order ;  but  be- 
ing most  of  them  good  fellows,  took  good  care  to 
fire  over  their  heads,  with  the  exception  of  one,  who 
let  his  bullet  strike  a  barrel  of  provisions  a  liardy 
old  patriot  was  handling,  who  coolly,  and  as  if  a  little 

offended,  cried  out,  "  Take  care  there — d n  it, 

you  had  a  ball  in  your  gun  !" 

Since  my  return  among  my  fellow-citizens,  I  have 
learned  further  particulars,  which  I  will  relate  to 
show  the  state  of  the  public  feeling  at  that  time. 
Owing  to  the  rigid  system  of  police  adopted  by  the 
mimicipal  authorities,  the  utmost  precaution  and 
secrecy,  upon  the  part  of  the  patriots,  was  necessary. 
Several  attempts  were  made  to  procure  boats,  by 
purchase,  for  the  purpose  of  going  to  the  relief  of 
those  on  the  island ;  but  owing  to  the  general  ap 
prehension  of  being  identified  with  the  movements 
of  the  patriots,  none  could  be  had.  The  principal 
body  were  at  that  time  assembled  at  the  United  State? 
hotel.  Police  officers,  constables,  and  marshals 
were  continually  on  the  alert,  watching  every  move 

ment.     In  this  emergency,  Col.  ,  and  others 

went  on  board  the  Little  Erie,  which  lay  at  the 
wharf,  in  the  rear  of  the  hotel,  and  made  their  cal- 
culations by  a  conversation  with  Capt. ,  and  the 

mate,  what  could  be  done.  Returning  to  the  hotel, 
fifty  choice  spirits  were  selected  from  the  number, 
without  any  explanation  of  the  object  in  view,  and 
assembled  in  the  dining-room,  when  each  agreed  to 
obey  orders  without  speaking  a  word  in  the  per 
formance  of  the  duties  assigned.  The  provisions, 
arms,  and  ammunitions,  to  be  jjlaced  on  board,  were 
in  the  cellar  and  yard.     Guards,  at  this  time,  were 


ll' 


,i|, 


H 


:i 


■.    ; 


^. 


lli 


''il 

It''  ' 


•    I 


V, 


n 


1  }  i«! 


i    1 

i 


II 


I  :j 


^iiit 


f 

H 

.J 


i  11 


! 


'    I 


■ 
I 


»J     ., 


188 

Stationed  by  the  municipal  authorities  through  the 
streets,  and  along  the  dock  by  the  boat.  All  in  a  state 
of  preparation,  the  spies  and  poUce  deluded  by  the 
main  body  in  the  front  rooms,  drinking,  relating  ru- 
mours, and  making  calculations,  that  we  were  by  that 
time  landed  and  in  possession  of  Maiden,  the  fifty 
marched  silently  out  of  the  back  door,  and  moved  the 
provisions  and  ammunition  quickly  on  board.  By  this 
time  the  alarm  was  given,  and  the  patriots  all  rushed 
on  board.     The   weather  was    exceedingly  cold, 

causing  delay  in  unmooring.     Capt. and  the 

mate    made    resistance,  as   the    marshal   and  the 

Bradys  came  up,  when  Col. had  a  clinch  with 

the  latter,  and  another  gentleman  with  the  former, 
and  they  lay  struggling  upon  the  deck,  during  the 

firing  and  shoving  off.     Capt. was  then  placed 

ct  the  helm,  and  a  guard  stationed,  with  fixed  bay- 
onets, and  with  orders  to  shoot  him  down  if  he  did 
not  steer  direct  for  the  island,  whilst  the  same  course 
was  pursued-with  the  mate  and  engineer,  to  get  up 
steam  and  under  headway.  Such  was  now  the  ex- 
citement, the  signals  of  alarm,  and  expresses  pass- 
ing up  and  down  on  the  Canada  side,  in  plain  view, 
that  fifty  to  a  hundred  more  individuals,  who  had 
not  intended  to  go,  rushed  heedlessly,  in  an  unpre- 
pared state,  on  foot,  down  the  river  side,  and  ran 
some  three  miles,  making  signals  to  the  boat,  until 
she  came  to,  and  took  them  on  board. 

There  are  many  amusing  anecdotes  told,  and 
which  are  well  authenticated,  in  relation  to  this 
affair.  Among  others,  it  is  said,  my  old  friend.  Coon 
Ten  Eyck,  the  marshal,  when  giving  his  orders  to 
fire,  as  the  pieces  were  brought  to  a  level,  threw  up 
the  musket  of  the  man  next  him,  with  the  excla- 
mation, "  d n  it,  man,  you  will  hit  somebody ;" 

but  it  won't  do  to  tell  of  this,  for  fear  it  will  get  to 
Washington,  and  cause  the  old  gentleman's  removal. 
This  reminded  me  of  an  instance  at  Gibraltar,  be- 
fore the  embarcation.    While  the  volmiteers  were 


through  the 
A.11  in  a  state 
uded  by  the 
,  relating  rii- 
were  by  that 
len,  the  fifty 
id  moved  the 
)ard.  By  this 
•ts  all  rushed 
dingly  cold, 
—  and  the 
[lal  and  the 
I  clinch  with 
I  the  former, 
:,  during  the 
I  then  placed 
h  fixed  bay- 
vn  if  he  did 
same  course 
Br,  to  get  up 
now  the  ex- 
)resses  pass- 
plain  view, 
s,  who  had 
an  unpre- 
le,  and  ran 
boat,  until 

told,  and 
[ion  to  this 
friend,  Coon 
is  orders  to 
^1,  threw  up 

the  excla- 
)mebody ;" 
[will  get  to 
]*s  removal, 
(braltar,  be- 

iteers  were 


isf> 

coming  in  by  squads,  on  the  morning  of  our  depart- 
ure, one  of  the  United  States  deputy  niarslials  found 
his  way  to  the  officers'  quarters,  with  warrants  for 
their  arrest.  Addressing  one  of  them,  he  asked  him 
into  the  hall  of  the  hotel,  where  he  unfolded  what 
he  termed  his  disagreeable  mission.  The  officer 
quickly  asked  him  into  a  vacant  room,  requested 
permission  to  examine  his  papers,  and  taking,  and 
placing  them  deliberately  in  his  pocket,  beckoned  to 
the  sentinel  who  was  pacing  the  hall  to  guard  the 
door,  and  then  telling  the  marshal  he  would  order 
him  some  brandy  and  water,  and  refreshments,  as 
he  must  be  fatigued  after  his  night's  ride,  left  him 
to  his  cogitations  ;  where,  by-the-bye,  he  was  found 
by  the  party  which  came  in  pursuit  of  us,  with  the 
faithful  sentinel  still  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty, 
and  we  in  British  waters.  And  to  add  to  that  day's 
incidents,  it  may  be  well  enough  to  remark,  that 
whilst  the  Brady  Guards  and  citizens  who  had  been 
sent  in  pursuit,  were  enjoying  their  dinners  on  board 
the  steamboats,  their  cartridge  boxes  were  plundered 
of  more  than  a  half  bushel  of  cartridges  which  found 
their  way  to  our  camp  the  same  night. 

The  Little  Erie  reached  Gibraltar  at  dawn  of  day, 
where  she  took  in  supplies,  the  boat  which  had  been 
sent  over,  and  more  men,  who  were  making  for  the 
camp,  and  arrived  soon  after  at  Sugar  Island,  in  a 
tremendous  snow-storm ;  having  forced  her  way 
through  heavy  bodies  of  ice  that  had  formed  between 
the  islands.  Here  a  consultation  was  held,  and  the 
history  of  the  day  before  related,  so  far  as  those  on 
the  island  possessed  a  knowledge.  A  council  of 
officers  then  decided  upon  sending  Sutherland  from 
the  island.  He  begged  and  entreated ;  but  there  was 
no  disposition  evinced  to  grant  him  quarters.  He 
finally  begged  that  it  might  be  left  to  the  men,  and 
obtained  the  privilege  of  addressing  them.  They 
were  mustered  and  formed  in  hollow  square ;  and  he 
mounted  a  stump,  and  made  a.  speech  of  a  half- 


I 


I 


m 


y  H 


M 


I  ii 


1^ 


I 


( 


r 


ill' 


f    ' 


1  — It  .    . 


i  i 


i 
1 


!i|T 


M 


;l 


■i 

■I 


I  I 


r 

<3  ii 


^^  ',. 


Vl 


I  if 

Mi 


HK) 

hour's  duration  ;  then  appealed  to  them  for  their  de- 
cision, and  put  the  question.  His  stali",  and  his  stalF 
only,  voted  for  him.  Another  now  addressed  them, 
and  put  the  question  on  the  other  side,  when  there 
was  one  unanimous  shout  for  the  officers  named  in 
the  original  arrangement ;  and  Sutherland,  with  his 
start",  shipped  on  board  of  the  boat  for  the  main  shore. 

This  redoutable  hero,  on  his  arrival  at  Detroit,  is- 
sued a  proclamation,  dated  at  Bois  Blanc,  stating  that 
he  was  in  possession  of  the  island  ;  giving  directions 
for  raising  troops,  and  orders  as  general  as  they  were 
vapid  and  ridiculous ;  and  among  other  things,  stathig 
he  had  lost  his  best  oflicers ;  and  that  he  would  exact 
fines  for  any  bad  treatment  we  might  receive.  He 
then  initiated  himself  into  the  good  graces  of  the 
council  there — induced  them  to  believe  he  was  an 
injured  man — a  brave  man — a  gentleman — and  a 
soldier.  He  was  arrested,  and  bailed  in  the  sum  of 
^6000 — which  has  since  been  forfeited.  They  sup- 
plied him  with  money,  and  in  a  few  days,  he  and 
a  numerous  staff  were  seen  parading  the  streets 
with  an  entirely  new,  costly,  and  dashy  undress 
uniform.  He  next  visited  Oakland,  Washtenaw, 
and  Lenawee  counties,  collected  several  thousand 
dollars,  and  induced  a  few  hundred  men  to  follow 
his  fortunes — got  them  quartered  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  city,  and  left  them  to  starve,  or  find  their 
way  home,  on  the  return  to  town  of  the  oflicers  from 
the  island,  who  quickly  divested  him,  in  the  eyes  of 
the  public,  of  his  borrowed  plumage.  He  soon  became 
an  object  of  disgust  to  all — of  contempt  with  the  coun- 
cil, who  had  censured  worthy  men  on  his  represen- 
tations— and  of  pity  in  the  eyes  of  his  own  staff,  one 
of  whom.  Col.  Case,  flogged  him  for  misrepresenting 
facts  to  Dr.  Buncombe,  in  Duncombe's  presence, at  the 
American  Hotel ;  he,  Sutherland,  refusing  to  fight. 

With  the  steamboat  Erie,  returned  to  Detroit  such 
of  the  council  as  had  accompanied  her  down,  and 
those  who  were  indisposed  from  the  effects  of  the 


1  for  their  dc- 
',  niid  his  stalf 
dressed  them, 
;,  wlien  tliere 
ers  named  in 
and,  with  his 
le  main  shore, 
at  Detroit,  is- 
c,  statuig  that 
ing  directions 
I  as  they  were 
things,  stathig 
3  would  exact 
receive.     He 
jraces  of  the 
e  he  was  an 
iman — and  a 
n  the  sum  of 
.     Tliey  sup- 
days,  he  and 
?  tlie   streets 
ashy  undress 
Washtenaw, 
sral  thousand 
en  to  follow 
e  neighbour- 
,  or  find  their 
officers  from 
the  eyes  of 
soon  became 
ith  the  coun- 
lis  represen- 
wn  staff,  one 
srepresenting 
esence,atthe 
ng  to  fight. 
Detroit  such 
•  down,  and 
effects  of  the 


191 

cold  and  exposure.  Previous  to  leaving,  however, 
another  consultation  was  held,  which  was  to  the 
elfect  that,  if  those  then  on  the  island  would  not  at- 
tempt, by  force,  to  retain  the  boat  for  the  purpose  of 
towing  the  boats  with  the  men  over  to  JMalden, 
either  that  boat,  or  some  other,  should  be  innne- 
diately  despatched,  on  landing  the  passengers  at  De- 
troit ;  by  which  time  all  could  be  in  a  state  of  prepa- 
ration for  making  a  demonstration.  However,  the 
weather,  now  intensely  cold,  caused  the  ice  to  form 
so  rapidly,  that  the  plan  was  either  impracticable,  or 
the  dissensions  created  by  that  prince  of  loafers, 
Sutherland,  induced  a  suppression  of  the  project;  and 
the  recruits  lay  there  with  their  boats  frozen  in,  and 
in  a  state  of  suspense,  until  the  night  of  the  12th  or 
of  the  13th  of  January,  when  a  boat  came  cutting  her 
way  through  the  ice,  intended,  as  they  supposed,  for 
the  purposes  previously  arranged.  It,  liowever,  on 
being  hailed,  proved  to  be  the  steamboat  Erie,  with 
his  excellency.  Gov.  Mason,  who  asked  to  hold  a 
consultation  with  the  commanding  officer,  stating 
that  he  had  not  come  with  an  armed  force,  for  the 
purpose  of  dispersing  the  patriots,  or  with  marshals, 
for  the  arrest  of  their  leaders ;  but  for  the  purpose  of 
exerting  his  influence  to  maintain  the  laws,  by  effect- 
ing a  peaceable  arrangement ;  that  there  were  none 
on  board  except  the  officers  and  crew,  himself  md 
three  mutual  friends.  The  boat  was  then  permitted  ro 
land,  and  the  governor  escorted  to  head  quarters, 
where  a  consultation  was  held,  which  ended  in  the 
breaking  up  of  the  camp,  and  the  landing  of  the 
troops  at  Gibraltar,  with  their  arms,  provisions,  and 
camp  equipage,  where  they  were  formally  paraded 
and  disbanded ;  and  the  boat  with  the  governor, 
with  great  difficulty,  succeeded  in  getting  through 
immense  fields  of  ice  to  Detroit. 

This  determination  on  the  part  of  our  friends,  was 
induced  by  facts  and  arguments  highly  compliment- 
ary to  their  generous  sympathy  for  us,  if  mortifying 


'!M 


;l 


sj 


I  ■ 


il 


1:         : 


ff 


1 1 


!.| 


f  i  i  i 


h 


ili 


m 


102 

to  their  pride.  Negotiations  had  taken  place  between 
the  autliorities  on  the  Canada  side  and  the  state  au- 
tliorities  in  Michigan,  by  wliich  fair  and  positive 
])ron)<scs  to  take  measures  for  our  rehef  had  been 
made  by  the  former,  conditioned  that  the  latter  would 
niduce  our  friends  to  disband  and  aid  in  restoring  the 
frontier  to  a  state  of  quietude  ;  a  ruse,  as  was  after- 
wards made  evident,  to  gain  time  for  the  regular 
troops  to  arrive.  It  would  do,  thought  our  friends, 
at  all  events  to  try  the  experiment,  by  at  least  a  show 
of  abandonment  of  tlieir  designs;  besides,  there  was 
something  due  to  the  politeness  as  well  as  the  deli- 
cate situation  of  the  governor,  who,  it  appeared,  had 
been  until  that  day  ignorant  they  were  on  an  Ame- 
rican island,  supposing  they  were  encamped  on  Bois 
lilanc,  which  was  now  deserted  by  both  parties. 
Then,  again,  they  were  under  the  impression,  by  re- 
tiring into  the  wood  on  the  main  land,  to  recruit  until 
the  ice  was  strong  enough  to  permit  their  crossing, 
had  its  influence.  Their  course,  on  the  whole,  was 
wisely  taken  and  discreetly  arranged ;  the  command- 
ing ofhcer  calling  around  him  his  stafl'and  the  oflicers 
of  the  line,  holding  a  council,  and  agreeing  upon 
moving  in  squads  immediately  after  their  landing  at 
Gibraltar,  and  appearing  to  disband,  to  the  farm 
of  a  Mr.  Van  Riper,  about  six  miles  west,  where  they 
could  make  themselves  comfortable ;  and  then  enter- 
ing into  stipulations  that  none  were  to  be  liable  to 
arrest;  that  they  were  to  retain  their  arms,  except 
such  as  belonged  to  the  state,  which  they  receipted, 
and  that  all  possible  measures  should  be  adopted  for 
our  release.  Suflice  it  here  to  say,  that  whilst  Gov. 
JNIason  and  our  friends  in  Michigan  kept  their 
promise  in  the  arrangement.  Prince  and  his  coadju- 
tors acted  with  the  most  foul  and  villanous  duplicity. 
For,  instead  of  making  an  effort  in  our  behalf^  he  pur- 
sued us  with  the  utmost  venom  to  Toronto,  and  there 
in  parliament, charged  the  authorities  of  Michigan,  to 
whom  he  had  made  the  most  solemn  promises,  with 


^iH 


lace  between 
the  stutc  au- 
and  positive 
ief  had  been 

I  latter  would 
restoring  the 
IS  was  after- 

the  regular 

our  friends, 

least  a  show 

3S,  there  was 

II  as  the  deli- 
ppeared,  had 

on  an  Anie- 
fiped  on  Bois 
both  parties. 
3ssion,  by  re- 
>  recruit  until 
leir  crossing, 
)  whole,  was 
le  command- 
id  the  oflicers 
reeing  upon 
ir  landing  at 
to  the  farm 
,  Avhere  they 
1  then  enter- 
be  liable  to 
irms,  except 
3y  receipted, 
adopted  for 
whilst  Gov. 
kept    their 
his  coadju- 
us  duplicity, 
half^  he  pur- 
o,  and  there 
Vlichigan,  to 
)miscs,  with 


103 

every  tiling  that  was  vile,  unmanly,  and  discredit- 
able, and  tiiat  own  after  going  over  to  Detroit,  a  fsw 
days  before,  and  saying  to  a  council  at  the  governor's 
chamber,  that  he  was  satisfied  the  authorities  had 
done  everything  in  their  power  to  preserve  neutrali- 
ty. He,  in  parliament,  complained  ;  and  that  body 
passed  resolutions,  charging  that  the  patriots  had 
practised  firing  cannon,  drilling  with  firearms,  and 
otherwise,  until  the  last  of  January ;  that  they  had 
possessed  themselves  of  a  waggon  load  of  gunpowder 
at  the  powder-house  in  the  city  of  Detroit ;  that  the 
arms  and  ammunition  taken  by  the  patriots  belonged 
to  the  United  States ;  that  eighty  stand  of  arms  were 
taken  belonging  to  the  Brady  Guards;  that  the  patriots 
took  two  cannon  from  Fort  Gratiot;  that  the  patriots 
publicly  recruited,  paraded,  and  drilled  in  the  city 
of  Detroit,  with  the  avowed  intention  of  invading  the 
western  district  of  Upper  Canada,  and  other  charges 
equally  false.  And  these  charges  were  afterwards 
fully  investigated  by  a  meeting  of  citizens,  and  by  the 
legislature  of  the  state  of  Michigan,  and  pronounced 
false  and  unfounded. 

Straggling  parties,  hearing  reports  that  the  patriots 
were  in  possession  of  Bois  Blanc  and  of  Maiden,  be- 
gan to  arrive  at  Toledo,  Monroe,  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Gibraltar,  on  Swan  creek ;  and  also  to  con- 
gregate along  the  St.  Clair,  from  the  Canada  side. 
Most  of  them  were  refugees,  and  the  greater  part  had 
been  at  Navy  Island.  Our  friends  in  Michigan  con- 
tinued in  the  exercise  of  their  pledge  in  respect  to 
the  neutral  position,  until  Prince's  course  at  Toronto 
was  developed,  when  their  severely  tried  patience 
was  relieved  by  bursts  of  popular  indignation  in  pub- 
lic meetings  and  otherwise.  Gen.  Hugh  Brady,  of 
the  United  States  army,  made  a  requisition  upon 
Gov.  Mason,  and  a  battalion  of  militia  was  called  out, 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Henry  Smith  of  Monroe, 
for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  neutrality ;  but  citizens 
refusing  to  volunteer,  and  Gen.  Brady  being  fearful 

17 


■ 


i:' 


i'    '    I 


: 


!^ 


I  ■ 


1 » 


ill: 


of  intrusting  tlicm  with  tlu^  government  arms,  an 
order  was  given  to  disband  wlien  tliey  were  l)eini,' 
mustered.  Then  an  army  of  assistant  marshals 
were  organized;  and  tlie  district  attorney  constantly 
engaged  at  liis  ollice  issning  warrants,  and  tlie  Hon. 
Koss  VVilkins,  United  States  district  judge,  at  his 
chamber  examining  in(hvi(hials  on  comphiints,  whilst 
the  Brady  Guards,  what  few  regulars  there  were, 
with  Gen.  Brady  and  Major  Garland  of  tlio  army, 
were  kept  constantly  on  the  f/ui  vive,  and  in  a  sleep- 
less state  of  alarm;  those  latter  startled  by  the  rustling 
of  a  bush,  the  breath  of  a  British  spy,  an  informant 
of  any  description,  and  especially  by  any  wag  who 
was  so  wicked  as  to  enjoy  the  amusement  of  sending 
them  on  a  fool's  errand. 

Public  meetings  were  held  by  citizens  on  both 
sides  of  the  question ;  the  one  denouncing  the  strong 
and  overwhelming  party  in  favour  of  the  patriot 
cause,  the  other  ecpially  indignant  at  the  authorities 
for  overstepping  their  duties,  compromising  the  cha- 
racter of  the  government,  and  trampling  upon  their 
individual  and  constitutional  rights.  Armed  men 
entered  private  houses,  in  some  instances,  and  took 
possession  of  personal  property,  on  the  merest  sus- 
picion that  it  was  intended  for  tlie  patriots ;  and  the 
patriots  themselves  were  hunted  in  every  direction, 
and  disarmed  wherever  found.  To  their  burning 
shame  be  it  mentioned,  the  United  States'  authori- 
ties entered  into  a  league  with  the  magistrates  of  the 
opposite  shore,  and  the  military  of  her  majesty,  by 
which  information  was  given,  informing  them  where 
and  when  rumour  said  they  might  expect  the  patriot, 
how  he  was  armed,  fed,  and  clothed,  and  his  sup- 
posed strength ;  and  any  communication  from  the 
British,  ever  so  frivolous,  met  with  a  formal  turn- 
out, and  a  ridiculous  display  of  loyalty.  They  did 
even  more  than  the  British  themselves,  and  were 
more  subservient  to  them  than  their  own  hirelings. 
The   Detroit   Moniine   Post   and   its  editors  Avere 


1 1 


icMit  arms,  an 
y  wore  heinu; 
(ant  riiarslials 
it'y  constantly 
and  the  Hon. 
judge,  at  his 
plaints,  wliilst 
{  tljcre  were, 
of  the  army, 
nd  in  a  sloop- 
)y  the  rusthn:,' 
an  informant 
my  wag  wlio 
3nt  of  sending 

sons  on  botli 
ng  the  strong 
f  the  patriot 
ic  authorities 
sing  the  cha- 
ig  upon  their 
Armed  men 
cs,  and  tooic 

merest  sus- 
ots ;  and  the 
ry  direction, 
leir  burning 
tes'  authori- 
trates  of  tlie 
majesty,  by 
them  where 

the  patriot, 
nd  his  sup- 
m  from  tlie 
brmal  turn- 
They  did 
I,  and  were 
n  hirelings, 
litors  were 


195 

openly  proscribed  by  thosi^  dressed  iu  the  garb  of 
brief  autliority,  and  by  tory  associations  and  meet- 
ings of  tories  who  wi-n.'  making  their  fortunes  m 
govcrmnent  contracts,  Inrnishing  tlie  IJritish  with 
pork  and  flour,  and  otlimwise  insulting  the  good 
sense  of  the  pure  and  iionest-hearted  patriot  who 
dared  to  extend  the  hand  of  charity  to  the  oppressed, 
and  openly  espouse  tlieir  cause. 

On  Friday  night,  tlie  2',k\  of  February — and  a 
bitter  cold  night  it  was — General  Hrady  had  ordered 
oin  his  regulars  and  the  detachment  of  Brady 
Guards,  and  put  ui  motion  most  of  the  sleighs  and 
teams  of  the  city  which  were  not  engaged  for  patriot 
service,  for  a  move  upon  them  at  some  point  on  the 
St.  Clair.  It  was  impossible  to  guess  their  where- 
about ;  they  liad  played  another  and  an  admirable 
nise  upon  the  general  and  his  vigilant  marshals. 
IJeing  resolved  to  take  up  a  position  on  Fighting 
Island,  whether  it  could  be  maintained  or  not,  the 
patriots  caused  a  report  to  be  circulated  that  they 
had  passed  Detroit,  through  the  wood  in  the  rear, 
and  moved  on  the  Fort  Gratiot  road,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  fortifying  themselves  at  the  site  of  the  old 
Fort  St.  Clair,  on  tlic  St.  Clair  river,  where  they 
were  assembled  in  great  numbers.  As  prompt  as 
credulous,  the  general  made  his  preparations;  and 
when  about  to  leave  at  midnight,  an  inquiry  was 
made  through  a  confidential  friend  of  a  leading 
patriot,  whether  they  really  were  at  JMount  Clemens 
or  on  the  St.  Clair,  or  anywhere  assembled  in  the 
north,  as  it  was  too  fatiguing  to  be  kept  constantly 
on  the  qui  vive  to  no  purpose.  That  gentleman, 
wisely  predicting  that  the  truth  would  have  the  ef- 
fect to  stimulate  them  on,  told  him  that  he  would  in 
confidence  tell  him  that  there  was  no  assemblage  of 
patriots  north  of  the  city,  and  if  they  went  there, 
they  would  find  it  a  fruitless  and  useless  expedition, 
but  declined  stating  in  what  direction  they  might  be 
found.     This  was  enough ;  if  he  said  they  were  not 


^\ 


LOG 


i 


t  4r 


'h 


ii 


nr. 


a'  ■ 


jf 


i 


:! 


I  it 


,  I 


M 


there,  then  surely  there  they  were ;  so  crack  went 
the  whip,  and  oft'  drove  the  guardians  of  neutraUty. 

Meantime,  a  part  of  the  main  body  of  the  patriots 
moved  up  from  their  woody  retreat  to  Ecorse,  oppo- 
site Fighting  Island,  refreshed  themselves,  and  pre- 
pared to  cross  over  to  th'?  Island,  a  distance  of  about 
two  miles.  General  Duncan  AIcLeod,  the  leader, 
addressed  them,  and  in  fine  spirits  they  moved  off, 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  leaving 
their  scattering  comrades  to  follow  them  as  they 
came  up.  These  were  but  partially  armed,  not  one- 
eighth  of  them  having  available  weapons  of  defence, 
and  most  of  them  having  no  weapons  whatever, 
(owing,  as  was  subsequently  alleged,  to  a  dereliction 
of  duty  of  the  master  of  ordnance ;  there  being  but 
one  small  piece  of  ordnance  upon  the  island,  and 
that  unmounted ;)  it  being  arranged  that  the  arms 
and  ammunition  should  follow  them  in  sleighs  from 
another  point,  where  they  iiad  been  deposited  for 
safe  keeping.  The  deputy  marshals,  who  were  sta- 
tioned at  every  point  on  the  frontier,  observing  this 
movement,  one  of  them  hurried  to  Detroit  after  the 
government  troops,  who  returned  from  their  north- 
ern expedition,  or  fool's  errand,*and  arrived  at 
Ecorse  about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  just  as  the  firing 
had  been  commenced  by  the  patriots,  and  was  an- 
swered by  the  British  from  the  main  shore.  Major 
Garland,  of  the  United  States  army,  and  Colonel 
Isaac  S.  Rowland,  the  accomplished  officer  of  the 
Bradys,  then  proceeded  to  station  their  guards,  and 
so  successfully  as  to  intercept  the  men,  the  arms,  and 
supplies  destined  for  the  island,  and  arrest  the  acting 
commissary,  John  S.  Vreeland,  who  was  afterwards 
indicted,  tried,  and  convicted,  imprisoned  for  one 
year,  and  fined  one  thousand  dollars. 

The  United  States  troops  and  Brady  Guards 
encamped  at  Ecorse  for  the  night,  and  the  patriots 
retained  their  position  on  Fighting  Island,  without 
shelter,  blankets,  or  food,  and  in  the  bleakest  of 


•  crack  went 
)f  neutrality, 
f  the  patriots 
Ccorse,  oppo- 
'■es,  and  pre- 
nco  of  about 
,  the  leader, 
y  moved  off, 
ber,  leaving 
lem  as  they 
led,  not  one- 
is  of  defence, 
is  whatever, 
a  dereliction 
re  being  but 
island,  and 
at  the  arms 
sleighs  from 
eposited  for 
10  were  sta- 
serving  this 
3it  after  the 
their  north- 
arrived  at 
s  the  firing 
nd  was  an- 
•re.     Major 
nd  Colonel 
ficer  of  the 
2[uards,  and 
e  arms,  and 
t  the  acting 
afterwards 
ed  for  one 

Jy  Guards 
he  patriots 
id,  without 
ileakest  of 


lf<7 

weather;  cursing,  with  the  deepest  bitterness,  the 
cause  which  had  deprived  them  of  arms  and  aminu- 
iiilion,  by  which  they  might  retaliate  upon  the  foe 
on  the  Canada  shore,  to  whose  murderous  fire  they 
were  helplessly  exposed.  At  daylight  in  the  morn- 
ing the  cannonading  was  again  renewed,  and  kept 
u])  until  the  patriots  exhausted  their  little  supply  of 
ammunition,  and  found  themselves  so  completely 
hemmed  in  by  the  British  on  the  one  side,  and  the 
Americans  on  the  other,  that  all  hope  of  succour  or 
supplies  were  cut  off,  when  they  reluctantly  retired, 
slowly  and  sullenly,  before  the  fire  of  the  advancing 
British,  upon  the  American  line,  where  some  fifty 
of  them  were  disarmed,  whilst  McLeod  with  the 
others  made  their  way  through,  and  pushed  for 
Point  au  Pell6e,  the  British  following  them  some  dis- 
tance beyond  the  natural  boundaries,  upon  the  ice, 
and  keeping  up  an  incessant  fire.  In  this  action 
much  cool  bravery  was  displayed,  and  a  devotion  to 
the  cause  manifested  that  made  the  American  offi- 
cers, the  Governor  of  Michigan,  and  others  present, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  preserve  neutrality,  exhibit  the 
greatest  feelings  of  reluctance  in  taking  from  the  men 
their  arms,  and  taking  prisoners  of  their  officers. 
And  in  this  instance  it  was  not  only  the  vigilance  of 
the  authorities  that  prevented  a  successful  demon- 
stration. The  blackest  treachery  and  most  cruel 
and  sacrificing  envy  and  jealousy  amongst  leaders, 
retarded  some  five  hundred  men,  panting  in  the  cold 
wood  for  orders  to  march,  sunk  their  cannon  in 
Swan  Creek,  and  buried  their  muskets  and  ammu- 
nition in  the  swamps.  But,  we  will  leave  that  tale 
to  be  told  by  those  who  were  at  home,  and  had  all 
the  mortification  of  witnessing  their  chivalrous  pros- 
pects of  a  brilliant  achievement  thus  maliciously  and 
cowardly  blasted. 

The  next  movement,  and  a  bloody  one,  was  at 
Point  au  Pellee  island,  by  a  portion  of  the  patriots 
who  had  been  stationed  at  Navy  Island,  and  who 


1 

li 


t  i 


!'     (f 


i\ 


fif 


k' 

( 

1         1 

1 

i 

i-iiil  ' 

I    ,  1   ■     i 

f 


I'lftl 

If 


had  been  recruiting,  for  some  little  time,  at  San- 
dusky Bay,  in  Ohio.  This  is  a  British  island,  situ- 
ated in  Lake  Erie,  about  twenty  miles  from  the 
Canada  shore,  and  about  forty  below  P^ort  Maiden, 
and  well  calculated,  by  its  dimensions  and  high 
bluff  shape,  for  defence,  there  being  but  one  point 
easily  accessible.  It  was  here  thought,  by  Colonel 
Bradley,  who  was  in  command,  that  they  could 
maintain  themselves,  until  the  scattered  bands  could 
concentrate  for  a  combined  movement.  Great  quan- 
tities of  supplies  were  furnished  from  Ohio,  consist- 
ing of  pork,  flour,  corn,  cattle,  and  so  forth,  and 
more  arms  than  men,  with  any  quantity  of  horses 
and  sleighs.  The  inhabitants  were  treated  with  the 
greatest  respect,  but  cautiously  detained  on  the 
island,  although  it  was  nearly  nine  miles  long,  and 
seven  broad.  The  British,  however,  were  soon  in- 
formed of  their  location ;  and  made  immediate  ar- 
rangements to  cut  off  reinforcements,  and  dislodge 
them.  Colonel  Msiitland,  of  her  majesty's  32d  regi- 
ment, who  was  in  command  at  Fort  Maiden,  moved 
all  his  disposable  force,  consisting  of  two  guns,  five 
companies  of  regulars,  and  about  one  thousand  mi- 
Htia  and  Indians,  of  which  some  w#Ib  cavalry,  about 
eighteen  miles  along  the  coast,  to  a  point  where  the 
ice  was  practicable,  and,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  3d  of  March,  set  off  for  the  island.  Reach- 
ing it.  Captain  Brown,  with  two  companies  of  the 
32d,  and  the  volunteer  cavalry,  was  sent  round  to 
the  south  end  of  the  island,  and  Colonel  Maitland, 
with  the  guns,  and  remainder  of  the  force,  landing 
at  the  north  extremity,  from  whence  the  patriots  fell 
back,  until  they  encountered  Captain  Brown's  de- 
tachment, upon  whom  they  commenced  a  most  fatal 
fire,  which  they  kept  up  until  the  British  were  cc  i- 
pelled  to  charge  with  the  bayonet;  when  they, 
being  principally  riflemen,  and  now  nearly  surround- 
ed, took  to  their  sleighs,  and  safely  reached  the 
American  shore,  leaving  Captains  Van  Rensellaer 


lie,  at  San- 
island,  situ- 
!s  from  tliG 
ort  Maiden, 
s  and  high 
It  one  point 
by  Colonel 
they  could 
bands  could 
Grreat  quan- 
hio,  consist- 
forth,  and 
y  of  horses 
ed  with  the 
ed   on    the 
;s  long,  and 
^re  soon  in- 
imediate  ar- 
nd  dislodge 
's  32d  regi- 
den,  moved 
guns,  five 
lousand  mi- 
ralry,  about 
where  the 
the  morn- 
nd.  Reach- 
nies  of  the 
It  round  to 
Maitland, 
ce,  landing 
patriots  fell 
own's  de- 
most  fntal 
were  cc    i- 
'hen  they, 
surround- 
sached  the 
Rensellaer 


1 


199 

and  McKeon,  and  five  privates  killed,  and  a  few 
who  were  made  prisoners,  after  having  actually  un- 
horsed some  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  taken  to  their 
saddles,  and  rushed  upon  Maitland's  guns,  making 
an  etfort  to  spike  them. 

Colonel  Bradley  and  Major  Hoadley,  who  both 
distinguished  themselves  in  this  action,  speak  in  the 
highest  terms  of  their  men  on  this  occasion,  as  well 
as  of  the  intrepidity  and  bravery  of  their  otRcers  who 
were  killed.  Not  a  man  broke  the  ranks,  nor  wa- 
vered, until  the  order  was  given  for  the  retreat ;  and 
when  Van  Rensellaer  fell,  at  the  head  of  his  com- 
pany, laying  on  his  back,  and  bleeding  to  death,  he 
continued  to  flourish  his  sword,  giving  orders,  and 
shouting  forth  words  of  encouragement,  till  the  Bri- 
tish charged ;  when  he  dragged  himself  towards 
them  with  the  exertion  of  one  hand,  whilst  with  the 
other,  he  struck  off  the  foremost  bayonet ;  at  the 
same  moment  being  inhumanly  stabbed  through  the 
heart  by  another.  His  name  was  Henry ;  and  he 
was  the  half-brother  of  General  Solomon  Van  Ren- 
sellaer, the  hero  of  Queenstown  Heights,  and  had 
been  a  midshipman  in  our  navy. 

The  loss  of  tTO  British  regulars  was  very  severe 
in  both  killed  and  wounded,  thirty-six  falling  a^t  the 
first  fire ;  and  Captain  Brown  speaks  of  the  order 
in  which  they  came  out  of  the  wood  on  to  the  ice, 
to  meet  him,  in  single  file,  and  then  forming  in  co- 
lumn, taking  deliberate  aim,  and  saluting  him  with 
their  deadly  fire,  as  one  of  the  coolest  acts  he  ever 
witnessed;  and  said,  that  so  completely  were  his 
troops  affrighted  and  dismayed,  that  when  he  gave 
the  order  to  charge,  had  they  been  visited  by  another 
volley,  a  rout  and  retreat  must  have  been  the  con- 
sequence. Their  loss,  as  usual,  could  not  be  ascer- 
tained. It  is  known  that  some  thirty  afterwards  died 
in  the  hospital,  at  Maiden,  of  their  wounds ;  scarcely 
one  who  had  been  shot  surviving.  It  was  rumoured, 
and  many  laboured  under  the  impression,  that  the 


' 


!l  '«' 


I    « 


■>  \ 


f 


1*  I 


KV-.' 


/       V  '■  ^:.  L 


-t.  i '  $^Ia,  , 


..  .U  J. 


1       -k    .  I 


n 


200 

patriot  balls  were  coated  with  a  poisonous  sub- 
stance, which  produced  such  general  mortality 
amongst  the  wounded ;  but  that  any  such  prepara- 
tion was  made,  is  an  error.  The  coat  formed  upon 
the  bullets  had  been  produced  by  their  exposure  to 
dampness,  which  often  produces  an  incrustation  of 
nitrate  of  lead,  a  salt  formed,  which  is,  of  course,  of  a 
poisonous  nature. 

To  close  this  chapter,  and  keep  our  valiant  hero, 
Sutherland,  within  the  pale  of  our  biography,  it  may 
be  well  to  state,  that  he  and  young  Spencer  were 
taken  prisoners  on  the  ice,  by  the  equally  valiant 
Prince,  on  the  evening  after  this  affair — Prince  being 
on  his  way  home  from  Point  au  Pelee,  and  Suther- 
land on  his  way  down,  as  he  pretended,  in  search  of 
some  lost  clothing,  and  important  documeiits. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


My  Trial. 


The  sixth  of  April  was  the  eventful  day  ordered 
for  my  trial.  Early  in  the  morning,  my  chains  were 
knocked  off,  and,  under  a  strong  guard,  I  was 
escorted  to  the  court.  A  crowd  had  already  assem- 
bled ;  and  I  was  placed  in  the  prisoner's  box,  in  the 
centre  of  the  room,  opposite  the  Bench.  As  soon  as 
the  excitement  occasioned  by  our  entrance  had 
subsided,  I  was  directed  to  listen  to  the  indictment 
which  had  been  preferred  against  me,  for  the  offence 
of  high  treason  against  her  most  gracious  majesty, 
the  queen  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  This  was 
done  by  the  clerk,  who  concluded  by  asking  me  the 
question,  "  whether  I  was  guilty  or  not  guilty.''  I 
addressed  the  court  hi  reply — ^"  That  I  had  no  coun- 


I  'U 

! 


nous  sub- 
mortality 
I  prcpara- 
med  upon 
:posure  to 
istation  of 
ourse,  of  a 

liant  hero, 
liy,  it  may 
ncer  were 
ly  valiant 
ince  being 
ad  Suther- 
search  of 
ents. 


ly  ordered 
lains  were 
'd,  I  was 
dy  assem- 
30X,  in  the 
As  soon  as 
ranee  had 
indictment 
the  offence 
Ls  majesty, 
This  was 
ing  me  the 
;uilty."  I 
lI  no  coun- 


201 

sel,  and  was  not  conversant  with  the  forms  of  law, 
or  the  proceedings  of  courts  of  ju^iico.  Tiiat  tln^ 
little  information  I  possessed  on  such  matters  iiad 
led  me  to  believe,  that  it  was  customary  to  ask  a 
prisoner,  charged  with  so  heinous  an  olfence,  whe- 
ther he  was  ready  or  not  for  trial ;  and  I  requested 
that  convenient  time  might  be  allowed  me,  to  send 
for  testimony,  to  prove  that  I  was  not  the  person 
mentioned  in  the  indictment — that  I  never  had  re- 
sided at  Maiden,  as  was  set  forth — that  I  was  not  a 
British  subject,  but  a  citizen  of  the  United  States ; 
and  that  consequently,  as  such,  I  could  not  be 
guilty  of  treason,  owing  no  allegiance  to  the  British 
crown." 

In  answer  to  this  appeal,  the  court  directed  that 
my  prayer  should  be  embodied  in  an  afiidavit,  and 
that  then  the  subject  matter  should  receive  attention. 
Two  gentlemen  of  the  bar  volunteered,  and  received 
permission  of  the  court  to  assist  me.  I  retired  witii 
them  to  a  small  room,  and  they  prepared  the  neces- 
sary affidavit,  comprehending  the  statement  of  facts 
to  which  I  had  alluded.  Both  these  gentlemen  as- 
sured me,  that  they  would  render  me  any  assistance 
in  their  power,  ir  such  aid  could  be  of  any  service  : 
but  stated,  at  the  same  time,  that  they  felt  confident 
that  their  services  would  all  be  in  vain,  as  it  was 
currently  and  authoritively  reported,  that  I  could  not 
be  permitted  to  escape :  that  my  execution  was  al- 
ready determined  on,  as  a  necessary  example,  and 
that  their  professional  aid  would  not  only  be  preju- 
dicial, but  ruinous  to  them.  Staggered,  but  not 
prostrated  by  this  annunciation,  I  returned  to  the 
court-room,  and  the  affidavit  was  read  to  the  court 
by  their  clerk.  This  called  to  his  feet,  Hagerman, 
the  attorney-general  of  the  province ;  a  large  man, 
with  an  unmeaning,  bloated  countenance :  his  nose 
had  been  broken,  but  whether  in  a  midnight  brawl 
or  not,  I  cannot  say ;  but  it  gave  a  hideous  and  dis- 
gusting look  to  his  face.    This  defect  had  earned 


I 


1 1 


ill  ' 


l,f 


i!f 


1 


ill 


■;'mI 


,  ? 


\^ 


N 


4' 


:!( 


202 

him,  throughout  the  province,  the  soubriquet  of 
"  Handsome  Kit."  He  addressed  the  court  with 
much  warmth  against  any  postponement  of  the  trial, 
remarking,  "  that  the  affidavit  was  but  a  pretext  to 
gain  time.  That  the  prisoner  was  bound  to  be  pre- 
pared :  that  the  crown  witnesses  were  present,  at  an 
expense  to  the  government,  and  that  the  prisoner 
had  aheady  cost  the  province  a  considerable  amount. 
That  there  should  be  no  further  delay,  and  in  order 
that  the  court  might  be  relieved  from  all  doubt  upon 
the  propriety  of  refusing  the  application,  he  would 
freely  adpiit  the  principal  allegations  in  the  affidavit : 
he  would  admit  *  that  he  was  a  naturahzed  citizen 
of  the  United  States,  that  he  had  not  resided  in  Up- 
per Canada,  that  he  had  been  first  fired  upon  by  the 
British  authorities,  at  Maiden,  and  had  been  subse- 
quently driven  upon  their  shores,'  and  every  other 
material  allegation  he  would  freely  admit  as 
proved." 

On  these  admissions  being  recorded,  the  chief  jus- 
tice decided  that  the  trial  should  proceed. 

The  jury  was  empanelled.  Well  knowing  that 
they  were  all  a  packed  jury  of  torj|ps,  I  deemed  it 
of  little  consequence  to  exercise  the  right  of  peremp- 
tory challenge,  a  privilege,  impotent,  as  I  was  then 
situated,  being  a  stranger  amidst  foes,  and  placed  in 
the  attitude  of  contending  with  power  clothed  with 
legalized  form,  and  surrounded  with  inimical  passion 
and  prejudice.  I  felt  as  if  my  doom  was  deter- 
mined, and  that  all  that  was  incumbent  upon  me, 
was  to  keep  in  remembrance  the  cause  that  had 
called  me  to  act,  and  to  take  heed  that  civil  liberty, 
and  the  rights  of  American  citizenship,  should  not 
be  impaired  through  nervous  timidity  or  criminal 
remissness  on  my  part.  Waiving,  therefore,  the 
right  to  challenge,  which  was  conceded  by  the  court, 
I  boldly  insisted  that  my  protest  against  the  right  to 
try  me  as  a  British  subject,  should  be  entered  of 
record,  and  my  request  was  granted. 


203 


briquet  of 
court  with 
of  the  trial, 
L  pretext  to 
d  to  be  pre- 
esent,  at  an 
he  prisoner 
ble  amount, 
ind  in  order 
doubt  upon 
1,  he  would 
le  affidavit : 
ized  citizen 
ided  in  Up- 
Lipon  by  the 
been  subse- 
every  other 
admit    as 

le  chief  jus- 

• 

owing  that 
deemed  it 
of  peremp- 
I  was  then 
id  placed  in 
lothed  with 
ical  passion 
was  deter- 

upon  me, 
\Q  that  had 
ivil  liberty, 
I  should  not 
)r  criminal 
^refore,  the 

the  court, 
the  right  to 
I  entered  of 


Although  not  an  important  incident  in  the  Cana- 
dian revolution,  yet,  as  this  protest  comprehends  the 
precious  privileges  presumed  to  be  conferred  by  tiie 
naturalization  laws  of  tlie  United  States,  1  recur  to 
it,  that  others  of  my  native  countrymen,  similarly 
situated,  may  learn  by  my  experience,  how  little  it 
availeth  under  British  laws,  to  have  forsworn  Bri- 
tish protection;  and  that  the  naturalization  law  of 
the  United  States,  although  bound  with  the  stars 
and  the  stripes,  carry  no  shield  against  British  con- 
struction of  man's  natural  right  to  choose  his  own 
home,  and  adopt  his  own  country.  These  boasted 
privileges  of  American  law  sound  well  in  theory, 
and  work  well  in  peace :  but,  until  treaty  regulations 
abolish  forever  the  tyrant's  doctrine  of  "once  a 
subject,  always  a  subject,"  little  practical  blessing 
is  conferred  in  times  of  commotion  and  war;  periods 
of  national  trouble  in  which  my  countrymen  are 
never  backward  in  commingling. 

I  solemnly  protested  against  the  right  of  the  court 
to  try  me  foi  high  treason.     Because, 

First,  As  an  American  citizen  I  could  not  be 
tried  for  the  alleged  offence,  not  owing  any  alle- 
giance to  the  throne. 

Second,  That  if  I  had,  by  tlie  facts  alleged  in  the 
indictment,  made  myself  amenable  for  any  offence, 
it  was  against  the  laws  of  nations,  and  that,  conse- 
quently, the  trial  must  be  had  before  a  higher  tri- 
bunal, sitting  in  England,  and  that  I  could  not  be 
tried  iDefore  a  provincial  court. 

Third,  That  the  facts  alleged  comprehended 
a  high  offence  against  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  to  which  I,  as  a  citizen  of  that  republic, 
was  amenable,  and  to  whose  jurisdiction  I  should 
be  returned. 

The  chief  justice  directed  the  protest  to  be  re- 
corded, the  jurors  were  sworn,  and  the  trial  pro- 
ceeded. 

The  queen's  counsel,  a  Mr.  Sherwood,  opened  the 


1  * 


« 


M    * 


I  i  ' 


[({III  -t 

'     I     if 

i  filf  I  ijl! 

"'il 


204 

case  for  the  crown.  This  sprout  of  revoUitionary 
toryism,  commenced  by  a  detailed  account  of  what 
lie  could  prove,  from  respectable  and  gallant  gentle- 
men, who  had  assisted  in  the  capture  of,  what  he 
was  pleased  to  term,  the  brigands  of  Maiden.  He 
essayed  to  refute  the  position  assumed  by  the  pri- 
soner in  his  affidavit  for  postponement,  admitting 
the  fact,  that  he  was  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  and  entitled  to  the  rights  of  such  cha- 
racter as  long  as  he  remained  subject  to  tlie  laws  of 
that  government ;  but,  that  the  British  constitution 
and  laws  recognised  no  such  rights,  and  that  they 
ceased  the  moment  he  was  found  in  arms  against 
the  government  of  his  birth :  that  having  been  born 
in  her  majesty's  dominions,  no  subsequent  act  of 
his  could  release  him  from  the  obligations  imposed 
by  birth ;  that  being  once  a  subject  he  was  always  a 
subject ;  that  allegiance  was  perpetual ;  it  was  the 
natural  incident  of  birth  ;  a  doctrine  inseparable  from 
the  spirit  of  the  British  constitution,  which  it  would 
be  moral  treason  to  controvert  or  deny.  In  illustra- 
tion, he  cited  the  case  of  one  Eneas  McDonald,  who 
had  been  tried  and  convicted  of  treason  a  century 
ago.  This  man  had  been  engaged  in  the  Scottish 
rebellion  of  1745,  as  a  partisan  of  the  Pretender.  He 
was  a  French  officer,  and  was  taken  prisoner.  Having 
been  born  in  Scotland,  but  removed  from  that  country, 
when  a  mere  infant,  to  France,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated, and  to  the  service  of  whose  monarch  he  was 
attached,  he  acted  in  the  invasion,  but  as  an  officer 
in  the  French  army,  in  the  legitimate  obedience  of 
orders.  All  this  was  alleged  upon  his  trial,  and  a 
similarity  of  position  assumed,  such  as  was  pre- 
sented by  the  prisoner  on  this  trial.  Yet  the  plea 
availed  not  McDonald ;  nor  could  it  be  of  any  con- 
sequence to  the  prisoner.  The  case  was  in  point ; 
and  as  far  as  well  authenticated  precedent  could 
illustrate  and  establish  the  principle  for  which  he 
contended,  all  doubt  as  to  tlie  true  relation  of  the 


'■i 


205 


prisoner  to  the  British  government  must  be  re- 
moved. 

The  witnesses  for  the  crown  were  then  called. 

First  on  the  stand  appeared  a  Mr.  Elliot,  of  Sand- 
wich, who,  being  sworn,  testified  "  that  he  had  seen 
mo  at  Detroit,  in  the  month  of  December,  taking 
an  active  part  at  a  public  meeting,  called  to  minister 
relief  to  the  Canadian  sufferers ;  and  that  he  had  also 
seen  mc  on  another  occasion,  in  that  city,  officiate 
as  one  of  the  officers  of  another  meeting  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  heard  me  address  the  meeting,  con- 
demning, in  strong  language,  the  course  pursued  by 
the  British  authorities,  and  styling  the  conduct  of 
the  provincial  government  as  tyrannical  and  atro- 
cious. He  also  beheld  me  giving  money  to  relieve 
the  distresses  of  the  fugitive  rebels."  In  reply  to  a 
question  which  I  was  allowed  to  put  on  cross-ex- 
amination, the  witness  stated,  "  that  Detroit  was  an 
American  city ;  and  that  the  rebels  were  there  called 
'  Canadian  refugees.'  " 

Next  came  Major  Laughlin,  the  sheriff  of  the 
western  district  of  Upper  Canada,  who  testified  to  a 
conversation  which  he  had  had  with  me  in  Windsor, 
some  time  prior  to  the  affair  at  Maiden,  in  which  I 
had  made  use  of  language  that  was  highly  treason- 
able— wishing  success  to  Papineau,  and  others  of  the 
lower  province,  who,  I  had  said,  were  struggling  for 
liberty.  On  being  requested  to  particularize  the  lan- 
guage I  had  used,  he  said,  that  I  had  boasted  of 
being  a  republican,  and  prayed  that  the  Canadas 
might  soon  be  a  republic.  That,  subsequently,  he 
called  at  the  prisoner's  store,  in  Detroit,  and  heard 
him  say,  that  he  held  the  commission  of  Brigadier 
General  in  the  service  of  the  Canadian  Provisional 
Government;  and  that  he  knew  the  prisoner  to  pos- 
sess great  popularity,  and  to  be  highly  esteemed  by 
the  Canadian  population ;  and  that  he  had  heard  him, 
some  days  previous  to  the  attack  upon  Maiden, 
boldly  express  sentiments  of  hatred  to  the  British 

18 


•  ■ 


il 


i  I 


Mil 


il 


;  -J  v 


■w 


^\    \ 


206 

power.  The  witness  was  present  at  the  capture  of 
the  schooner  Ann,  at  Maiden,  and  witnessed  the  cap- 
ture of  the  prisoner.  He  was  armed,  and  wore  the 
same  uniform  in  which  he  was  now  dressed.  Wit- 
ness had  striven  to  tear  off  the  stars  from  his  breast ; 
but  could  not  succeed,  from  the  resistance  which  he 
made.  The  witness  expressed  his  sorrow  for  the  in- 
sult he  had  given,  and,  with  the  permission  of  the 
court,  now  begged  the  prisoner's  pardon. 

Another  witness  was  called,  of  the  name  of 
McDonnell,  who  testified,  in  substance,  to  the  same 
as  the  previous  witness,  as  to  the  conduct  of  the 
prisoner  at  public  meetings  at  Detroit ;  then  followed 
a  few  others  of  no  account.  At  last  John  Prince 
was  called  to  the  stand,  who  repeated  the  same  story, 
but  preferred,  from  professional  habit,  to  reach  the 
facts  by  a  circuitous  and  irrelevant  route,  and  con- 
firming the  sheriff  as  to  my  being  taken  in  arms 
against  her  majesty,  at  Maiden.  He  manifested  much 
feeling  of  hostility  to  me  personally,  and  seemed  to 
rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  glutting  his  long  fester- 
ing rancour — and  swore  by  the  wholesale  to  every 
necessary  fact  to  insure  my  conviction.  I  ruffled  his 
temper  a  little  in  cross-examination,  by  asking  him 
boldly,  if  he  was  not  drunk  then,  and  had  not  been 
intoxicated  at  the  time  of  my  capture ;  all  of  which 
was  the  fact,  and  easily  to  be  perceived  by  the  most 
common  observer.  My  questions  were  objected  to, 
as  a  matter  of  course ;  but  I  enjoyed  the  satisfaction 
of  exposing  the  reptile  to  public  gaze. 

Other  immaterial  testimony  was  introduced,  not 
necessary  to  recapitulate  in  this  narrative. 

Having  declined  offering  any  exculpatory  evi- 
dence, the  attorney-general  summed  up,  as  the 
lawyers  call  it,  by  an  impassioned  address  to  the 
jury,  calling  to  his  aid  all  the  opprobrious  epithets 
that  the  calendar  of  Billingsgate  could  furnish,  which 
he  most  heroically  applied  to  the  population  of  the 
United  States  in  general,  and  myself  in  particular 


^i .    i 


the  capture  of 
tnessed  the  cap- 
i,  and  wore  the 

dressed.  Wit- 
from  his  breast ; 
stance  which  he 
rrow  for  the  in- 
irmission  of  the 
don. 

the  name  of 
ice,  to  the  same 
conduct  of  the 
t ;  then  followed 
St  John  Prince 
the  same  story, 
it,  to  reach  the 
route,  and  con- 
taken  in  arms 
lanifested  much 
and  seemed  to 
1  his  long  fester- 
lesale  to  every 
n.  I  ruffled  his 
by  asking  him 
I  had  not  been 
I ;  all  of  which 
ed  by  the  most 

re  objected  to, 

he  satisfaction 

Introduced,  not 
five. 

culpatory  evi- 
up,  as  the 
iddress  to  the 
[rious  epithets 
furnish,  which 
lulation  of  the 
lin  particular 


207 

I  was  a  brigand,  a  murderer,  a  pirate,  a  robber,  a 
Yankee,  an  inhuman    monster.     My  countrymen 
were  lawless  republicans,  actuated  by  the  passions 
of  the  Jacobins  of  France.     The  object  was  plunder 
and  rapine  :  and  he  implored  the  jury  to  remember 
the  feelings  of  alarm  created  by  the  "infamous  Mac- 
kenzie," the  night  that  Toronto  was  threatened ;  and 
he  concluded  his  blood-thirsty  harangue,  by  invok- 
ing the  jury,  by  their  verdict  against  me,  to  set  an 
example  to  the  lawless  renegades  on  both  sides  of 
the  line.     He  informed  the  jury,  that  he  was  aware 
%at  the  major  part  of  them  were  Irishmen ;  but,  he 
thanked  God,  that  they  were  loyal  Irishmen — men 
whose  promptitude  and  whose  bravery  had  saved 
to  her  majesty  that  province,  the  brightest  gem  in 
her  diadem.     That  the  prisoner  was  their  country- 
man born;  but  was  a  renegade  to  their  feelings; 
that  his  education  and  habits  had  made  him  a  re- 
publican, and  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  was  a 
"  Yankee ;"  that  his  lordship  would  explain  to  them 
the  law,  and  that  he  doubted  not,  that  their  verdict 
would  teach  such  renegade  Irishmen,  that  the  peo- 
ple of  her  majesty's  provinces  would  not  submit 
to  have  their  property  wrested  from  them,  nor  their 
wives  and  daughters  given  as  a  prey  to  the  lust  of 
the  brigands,  although  led  on  by  such  a  Jacobin  as 
the  prisoner. 

He  looked  a  moment  at  me,  I  remember,  with  a 
countenance  full  of  hate,  and  requested  the  jury  to 
examine  the  "  daring,  reckless,  unconcerned  look  of 
the  ruffian,"  as  he  courteously  styled  me.  I  met  his 
and  their  gaze  with  a  smile  of  cool  contempt,  which 
gave  Hagerman  another  opportunity  to  launch  out 
in  a  tirade  against  me,  and  what  he  called  the  hell- 
born  system  of  republicanism.  He  concluded  with 
the  stanza  from  Scott : 

*'  Lives  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead, 
Who  never  to  himself  has  said,  .^ 

This  is  my  own,  my  native  land  1" 


I  ■) 


i4: 


r 


(     ! 


i!l 


i  1'  I 


208 

1  would  not  undertake  to  give  the  precise  lan- 
guage of  the  honourable  barrister,  although  my  me- 
moranda enables  me  to  do  so,  because  it  is  not  ne- 
cessary to  the  interest  of  this  narrative.  Sufliee  it 
to  observe,  that  his  address  was  one-sided,  partial, 
cruel,  and  of  the  vindictive  cast  necessary  to  pave 
the  way  for  his  promotion,  whicli,  I  understand,  has 
since  taken  place. 

I  was  informed  by  the  chief  justice,  whom  I  was 
obliged  to  address  by  the  appellation  of  lordship, 
tliat  I  might  make  my  defence.  I  addressed  tlie 
jury,  briefly  and  calmly.     I  told  them, 

"  That  I  had  not  intended  to  take  any  part  in  the 
proceedings,  conceiving  that  the  last  act  of  the  farce 
was  written  before  the  first  began.  But  that  respect 
to  my  own  feelings  forbade  me  to  let  pass  without 
comment,  tlie  abusive  and  uncalled-for  language  of 
the  queen's  attorney-general.  Official  duty  called 
for  the  exercise  of  talent  to  promote  the  ends  of  jus- 
tice ;  but  never  demanded  from  any  functionary  self- 
degradation  or  personal  vindictiveness.  The  asser- 
tion had  been  made,  that  I  was  a  British  subject.  Yea, 
I  was  now  on  my  trial  as  such,  for  the  crime  of  high 
treason — a  crime  of  which  none  but  a  subject  could 
be  guilty.  If  so,  where  the  dignity  of  so  high  an 
officer  of  the  crown,  in  conferring  upon  me  the 
epithets  in  which  he  had  indulged.  If  I  were  a 
murderer,  a  robber,  a  ravisher,  a  Yankee  pirate, 
why  not  try  me  as  such  ?  No — they  could  not;  they 
dared  not ;  vengeance  would  lose  its  victim  for  lack 
of  proof." 

I  admitted,  "  that  I  had  been  taken  in  arms,  fight- 
ing under  an  acknowledged  flag  against  her  majes- 
ty's dominions — dominions  which  I  strove  to  release 
from  European  despotism.  ["  Acknowledged  flag," 
ejaculated  the  attorney-general.]  Yes  !  the  flag  was 
acknowledged  by  your  late  governor,"  I  answered, 
"in  sending  the  flag  of  truce  to  treat  with  the 
party  at  Montgomery's ;  it  was  the  flag  of  the  in- 


;r 


precise  laii- 
►iigli  my  nic- 

it  is  not  ne- 
).  Siidicc  it 
ided,  partial, 
sary  to  pave 
icrstand,  has 

whom  I  was 

of  lordship, 

Jdrcsscd  the 

y  part  in  the 

of  the  farce 

;  that  respect 

pass  without 

language  of 

duty  called 

ends  of  jus- 

ctionary  self- 

The  asser- 

ubject.  Yea, 

rime  of  high 

ubject  could 

so  high  an 

)on  me   the 

f  I  were  a 

ikee  pirate, 

d  not;  they 

tim  for  lack 

arms,  fight- 
her  majes- 
''e  to  release 
idged  flag," 
he  flag  was 
I  answered, 
t  with  the 
of  the  in- 


200 

dependent  provisional  government  of  Canada,  a  flag 
planted  on  the  soil  of  Canada  by  Canadians  theni- 
elves,  at  Navy  Island.  No  act  ot  piracy  had  ever 
been  committed  by  nv\  or  by  tliose  acting  under  my 
command.  Why,  then,  tlie  use  of  such  foul  epithets  ? 
Wliy  should  not  those  bred  to  the  courtesy  of  the 
law,  keep  within  the  prescribed  limits  of  legal  dis- 
course ?  and  why  undertake  to  prejudice  the  minds 
of  the  jury,  already  unfairly  excited  ? 

"  Had  I  deemed  it  necessary,  in  this  mock  trial — 
yea,  my  lord,  mock  trial — I  might  have  challenged 
the  whole  panel ;  for  every  one  of  you,  both  judge 
and  jury,  have  had  your  opinion  formed  before  you, 
gentlemen  of  the  jury,  were  sworn  in  the  box ;  and 
long  before  many  of  you  had  uttered  what  you 
thought  should  be  my  doom.  Nor  do  I  now  say  so, 
to  evince  that  I  could  have  had  another  jury  any 
better ;  for  what  avail  would  it  have  been,  save  to 
protract,  for  a  little  time,  the  execution  of  the  execu- 
tive orderSf  when  all  in  this  quarter  of  the  province 
had  been  partizans  of  the  government,  and  had 
borne  arms  against  the  patriot  cause.  I  could  have 
objected,  that  you  all  belonged  to  a  society,  whose 
political  and  religious  feelings  are  hostile,  bitterly  so, 
to  my  cast  and  character.  Tlie  accursed  institution 
of  Orangeism,  which  deluged  my  native  land  in 
blood,  has  lost  none  of  its  venom  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  Yes,  gentlemen,  pardon  me,  but  I  honestly 
believe  you  came  here  this  day  fully  bent  on  my 
conviction ;  the  subject  of  my  guilt  has  been  deeply 
impressed  upon  your  minds,  ere  you  were  sum- 
moned to  attend  on  this  court.  The  trial,  then,  is  a 
mockery,  a  mere  form  of  law,  to  gild  and  adorn  the 
preliminaries  to  my  execution.  Even  the  very 
judge  on  the  bench  has  said  to  the  bar  around  me, 
that  I  must  be  executed ;  that  I  must  be  hung  up  to 
prevent  my  countrymen  from  following  the  path  I 
had  pursued.  Yes,  strange  as  it  may  appear,  gen- 
tlemen, I  feel  indifferent  to  your  verdict.    I  rise  but 

18* 


li 


l» 


I 

I 
'    I 


:' 


210 


>  ■ 


!    lift  ¥,  n 

;      r  1  Jf 


i» 

1 

j 

Ul 

1   i>tl 

to  proclaim  my  American  citizenship;  to  protest 
most  solemnly  against  your  procedure.  I  am  no 
subject ;  but  a  citizen  of  a  free  republic.  No  slave ; 
but  a  freeman.  I  leave  the  issue  to  my  adopted 
country ;  in  my  person,  on  this  trial,  is  involved  the 
sanctity  of  American  laws,  and  my  country  will  look 
to  it ;  you  can  trample  on  my  person,  and  give  my 
limbs  to  dissection  ;  it  will  be  but  a  paltry  triumph 
compared  with  the  glorious  results  which  I  confi- 
dently predict  will  follow. 

"  Were  it  possible  for  you,  gentlemen,  to  dismiss 
from  your  minds  your  preconceived  opinions,  I  would 
call  your  attention  to  the  appropriate  bearing  of  the 
testimony.  1  would  point  you  to  the  necessary 
character  of  the  witnesses,  who,  in  order  to  magnify 
their  own  heroism,  have  swelled  a  mountain  out  of 
a  mole-hill :  a  small  water  craft  into  an  armed  frigate, 
irregular  musketry  into  broadsides,  and  bloody  noses 
into  fields  strewed  with  blood.  Strip  their  testimo- 
ny of  their  victory  at  Maiden,  and  where  is  your 
crime  ?  Had  not  I,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  the 
unquestionable  right  to  express  my  opinions  freely, 
of  the  measures  of  your  government  ?  Had  not  I  the 
right  to  attend  public  meetings  in  the  United  States, 
yea,  and  contribute  my  means,  to  aid  the  revolution 
here,  and  not  violate  your  laws?  If  such  be  an 
offence,  it  is  one  against  the  laws  of  my  own  country, 
and  not  against  the  laws  of  this.  But  I  was  taken 
in  arms :  true,  most  true ;  I  boast,  I  glory  in  it.  But 
how  different  would  my  case  have  been  viewed, 
had  success  crowned  our  efforts.  Now,  I  am  a 
brigand,  a  pirate,  a  traitor,  but,  otherwise  the  case, 
had 

"  '  Successful  rebellion  decked 
The  brows  of  traitors :  heroes  they 
Who  gave  freedom  to  the  slave, 
And  law  and  liberty  to  the  oppressed.' 

"  Yqs,  many  now  around  me,  had  such  been  our 


ip  J  to  protest 
are.     I  am  no 

lie.  No  slave ; 
[o  my  adopted 
is  involved  the 
luntry  will  look 
1,  and  give  my 
paltry  triumph 
which  I  confi- 

men,  to  dismiss 
pinions,  I  would 
!  bearing  of  the 
the  necessary 
rder  to  magnify 
nountain  out  of 
n  armed  frigate, 
nd  bloody  noses 
p  their  testimo- 
where  is  your 
nited  States,  the 
opinions  freely, 
Had  not  I  the 
3  United  States, 
the  revolution 
If  such  be  an 
ly  own  country, 
ut  I  was  taken 
ory  in  it.     But 
been  viewed. 
Now,  I  am  a 
Irwise  the  case, 


Isscd.' 

such  been  our 


211 

fortune,  would  have  showered  blessings  instead  of 
curses  on  my  head. 

"  But  we  failed ;  circumstances  beyond  our  control 
conquered  us,  and  I,  as  one  of  the  humble  instru- 
ments embarked  in  the  glorious  undertaking,  am 
willing  to  meet  the  consequence.  We  played  for  a 
great  stake — a  nation's  liberty — and  we  lost.  Tyran- 
ny may  now  do  its  worst ;  my  life  is  not  worth  pre- 
serving at  the  sacrifice  of  honour,  or  by  a  tame  sub- 
serviency to  prolong  its  being,  or  I  needed  not  now 
have  been  here.  I  complain  not :  but  I  do  protest 
against  being  spread  upon  your  records,  as  a  subject 
of  a  crown.  I  am  a  freeman — proud  of  my  rights 
as  an  American  citizen,  to  obtain  which,  I  left  my 
native  country.  Your  obsolete  principles  of  musty 
common  law,  fit  only  for  slaves,  and  corresponding 
to  that  iron  age  when  the  thane  could  sell  his  serf,  is 
unrecognised  in  my  country,  and  is  scouted  at  and 
repudiated  by  the  philosophy  of  civilization.  The 
doctrine  of '  once  a  subject  always  a  subject,'  would 
make  the  great  Washington  a  traitor,  and  have  re- 
tarded for  centuries  the  enlightenment  of  the  conti- 
nent of  North  America  by  the  rays  of  civil  and  politi- 
cal liberty.  Away  with  such  stuff!  Its  enuncia- 
tion at  this  age — in  this  tribunal — is  an  insult  to 
justice — and  brings  shame  to  common  sense." 

"  You,  gentlemen,  are  told  that  I  am  an  Irishman 
by  birth,  but  a  renegade  to  Irish  feeling.  What 
should  I  reply  ?  Tamely  submit  and  repress  my 
honest  indignation  ?  Never,  never — If  it  was  the  last 
word  I  had  to  utter  on  earth,  I  will  hurl  the  lie  back 
on  the  assertion, — foul  and  false  aspersion,  I  pro- 
nounce it.  No  action  of  my  short,  but  checkered 
life,  is  tainted  with  the  slightest  blot  of  treason  to 
Irish  hearts — and  the  Irish  character.  Ireland — op- 
pressed Ireland  is  my  native  land — Ireland,  suffering 
under  the  same  cruel  despotism  that  now  blights  the 
prospects  of  poor  Canada,  is  the  home  of  my  child- 
hood, and  is  dear  to  my  fondest  recollections ;  and 


' 


212 


i) 


I 

J  .^ 

'  ^ 

« 

!' 

:ii!v. 


.  ii 


recreant,  indeed,  would  I  be,  could  I  forget  the  proud 
distinction  of  an  Irish  birth.  I  can  never  forget  the 
wrongs  my  native  land  has  endured  from  the  Bri- 
tish rule,  portrayed  in  living  light  in  her  history, 
and  transmitted  as  the  precious  legacy  of  accumulat- 
ing national  vengeance  from  sire  to  son.  But,  thanks 
to  propitious  heaven,  I  am  no  born  serf  to  her  soil, 
and  especially  when  that  soil  is  down-trodden  by 
British  rule.  The  law,  urged  by  the  crown's  attor- 
ney, classes  me  as  such,  but  I  indignantly  repel  it, 
and  in  behalf  of  thousands  and  thousands  of  bounding 
Irish  spirits,  throughout  the  United  States,  nay,  the 
world,  reject  and  deny  the  doctrine  with  scorn." 

"  I  have  heard — true,  it  was  elsewhere  than  here — 
that  this  same  hypocritical  functionary,  who  has  so 
travelled  out  of  his  way  to  insult  me,  has  ever  been 
distinguished  as  the  defamer  of  Ireland,  and  yet  he 
dares,  to  Irish  ears,  to  flatter  my  native  countrymen 
for  their  loyalty,  and  bravery,  all  for  the  artful  pur- 
pose of  creating  prejudice  against  me.  I  shrink  not 
from  a  comparison  with  the  loyal  Irishmen  of  the 
province,  whom  he  styles,  as  having  preserved  this 
gem  of  the  British  crown ;  I  am  willing  that  posterity 
shall  judge,  whether  your  conduct,  gentlemen  of  the 
jury,  or  mine,  best  accords  with  Irish  pride  and  Irish 
wrongs.  And  he  recites  with  marked  emphasis  the 
stanza  of  Scott, 

"  <  Lives  there  the  man,  with  soul  so  dead, 
Who  never  to  himself  hath  said, 
This  is  my  own,  my  native  landl' 

"  If  he  means,  that  my  native  land  is  forgotten,  he 
indulges  fancy  at  the  expense  of  fact ;  and,  shielded 
by  the  power  of  place,  insinuates  that  which,  under 
other  circumstances  more  propitious  to  a  prisoner,  he 
dared  not  breathe. 

"Ireland  I  love — England  I  hate.  Have  I  no 
reason  ?  Look  at  history.  Gaze  on  Ireland  now, 
and  what  she  has  been,  and  what  she  could  be,  and 


213 


what  she  has  made  by  her  blood  and  treasure  of  the 
British  power,  and  what  Irisliman  can  honestly 
love  British  rule  ?  *  My  native  land,'  yes,  in  the 
very  word  *  Ireland,'  there  is  an  eternity  of  wrongs, 
hecatombs  of  victims,  volumes  of  outrage;  and  when 
Ireland  forgets  England,  it  will  be  amidst  the  sleep 
of  nations,  and  when  all  earth  is  dissolved  by  the 
magic  of  the  last  trump." 

There  were  standing  immediately  behind  me,  a 
number  of  Irish  volunteers,  belonging  to  the  Queen's 
Foresters — a  regiment  which  had  been  raised  after 
the  defeat  at  Montgomery's — one  of  Avhom,  a  tall, 
red-haired,  raw-boned  young  man,  of  the  genuine 
Milesian  cast,  who,  wrapt  in  thought,  was  picking 
the  prisoner's  box  with  his  bayonet,  while  honest 
tears  coursed  down  his  cheeks.  One  of  his  com- 
rades near  him,  accosted  him  with  a  strong  and  dis- 
tinct whisper,  which  I  overheard.    He  exclaimed : — 

"  Holy  Saviour !  Murphy,  dear,  ain't  that  true  ?" 

Although  but  a  whisper,  I,  as  well  as  many  others 
near,  heard  the  remark,  and  turning  round,  I  clapped 
the  young  Milesian  on  the  shoulder,  exclaiming — 

"  Ay,  Murphy,  it  is  true  ;  and  you,  my  country- 
men, who  know  its  truth,  are  here  with  arms, 
sustaining  the  oppressors  of  your  country,  and  the 
murderers  of  your  countrymen,  and  tacitly  stand  by, 
and  allow  those  tyrants  to  condemn  to  death  your 
countrymen,  merely  for  the  crime  of  being  your 
countrymen." 

This  sudden  digression  had  the  effect  of  causing  a 
stir  in  the  audience,  as  if  a  stream  of  electricity  had 
poured  from  heaven  among  them.  They  were 
chiefly  Irish,  and  from  their  murmurings,  and  their 
clapping  of  hands,  so  unusual  in  courts  of  justice, 
led  me  to  believe  that  I  had  attained  the  object 
which  I  had  desired. 

"  Silence — silence  !"  rang  through  the  hall,  and 
the  court,  interposing,  observed,  "  That  I  had  been 
allowed  a  latitude  of  speech  unprecedented,  that  I 


i 
i 


214 


4 


li    .  ! 


i; 


!'■  ■ 


lit  i  1 1:^ 


i 


must  now  cease  my  unwarrantable  and  treasonable 
harangue." 

I  replied, "  that  the  crown  officer's  remarks  im- 
pelled my  course ;  that  his  denunciations  were  irrele- 
vant and  insulting  :  that  I  did  not  flatter  myself  that 
my  remarks  would  change  my  doom,  long  pre-deter- 
mined ;  but,  that  were  I  now  standing  on  the  scaf- 
fold, I  would  vindicate  my  character  and  motives 
from  unjust  and  cruel  aspersion/' 

His  lordship  replied,  "  That  the  court  would  not 
tolerate  such  language,  and  that  I  must  confine  my 
remarks  to  the  subject  matter,  or  else  he  would  com- 
pel me  to  sit  down." 

"  Even  for  that,"  I  continued,  "  I  care  not.  Be  it 
so — that  I  am  condemned  unheaird— what  a  picture 
of  justice  will  it  present  to  the  civilized  world !  I 
have  borne  your  utmost  rigour  of  imprisonment, 
your  chains,  your  insults,  ycur  dungeon,  without 
alarm  or  murmur,  and  now  can  stand  the  stern  brow 
of  your  lordship,  and  the  pitiful  contempt  of  the 
queen's  attorney-general,  whose  nose,  by  nature, 
magnifies  the  outward  xiianifestations  of  the  inward 
malice  of  the  man." 

This  allusion  to  the  remarkable  personal  defect 
of  the  attorney-general,  produced  a  smile  among  the 
jurors  and  the  bar ;  but  the  auditory  broke  out  into 
open  laughter.  After  cries  of"  Silence  !'•'  I  was  per- 
mitted again  to  address  the  jury.     I  said — 

"  That  whatever  motive  prompted  the  poetic  quo- 
tation of  the  counsel,  I  thanked  him  for  the  glorious 
theme.  Had  I  time  and  permission,  I  could  appeal 
to  every  Irish  heart,  for  ample  causes,  why  Irishmen 
should  rebel  against  the  power  of  Great  Britain ;  but 
I  would  cease  to  trouble  the  sensitive  feelings  of  the 
court ;  and  that  it  must  be  obvious,  that  when  the 
Canadian  refugees  fled  naked  to  the  United  States, 
no  Irishman,  remembering  his  own  country's  wrongs, 
could  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  their  appeals.  I  could  not , 
I  did  not.     You,  gentlemen,  if  men  of  common  feel- 


I 


treasonable 

emarks  im- 
were  irrele- 
myself  that 
^  pre-deter- 
n  the  scaf- 
nd  motives 

would  not 
confine  my 
ivould  com- 

not.  Be  it 
It  a  picture 
world !  I 
)risonment, 
n,  without 
stern  brow 
npt  of  the 
py  nature, 
he  inward 


>nal  defect 
imong  the 
e  out  into 
[  was  per- 

oetic  quo- 
e  glorious 
Id  appeal 

Irishmen 
itain ;  but 
igs  of  the 
when  the 
id  States, 
s  wrongs, 
ould  not, 

non  feel- 


215 

ings,  will  understand  me,  and  will  solve  the  question, 
whether  I  was  a  serf  or  a  freeman — a  British  subject 
or  an  American  citizen.  I  entertain  no  hopes  of 
your  verdict;  it  will  be  one  of  conviction,  and  now 
only  wanting  the  form  of  delivery  and  record:  but 
I  am  consoled,  that  the  drama  will  not  close  with 
your  act,  or  my  existence.  The  principle  involved, 
will  rouse  a  spirit  among  the  republicans  of  my 
adopted  country,  that  would  atone  for  my  wrongs, 
and  if  I  do  perish,  that  I  should  not  perish 

"  Unwept,  unhonoured,  and  unsung." 

That  principle  was  dear  to  the  naturalized  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  and  they  would  soon  see, 
whether  I,  one  of  their  number,  could  be  tried  and 
punished  as  a  subject  of  the  queen." 

The  chief  justice  was  brief  and  bitter  in  his  charge^ 
recapitulating  and  enforcing  the  doctrine  assumed 
by  the  crown  lawyer,  stating  emphatically,  "  That 
birth  in  her  majesty's  dominions,  created  a  perpetual 
allegiance,  from  which  the  subject  could  never  be 
released,  under  any  plea  or  any  pretence.  That  no 
act  of  the  subject  could  impair  its  obligation ;  that  it 
was  part  and  parcel  of  the  British  constitution ;  and 
that  British  law  did  not  recognise  the  naturalization 
statutes  of  foreign  countries.  Once  a  subject,  ever  a 
subject ;  and  if  a  born  subject  traitorously  connects 
himself  with  the  hostile  movements  of  a  foreign 
enemy,  the  laws  of  war  did  not  apply  to  such,  but 
if  taken,  he  could  and  should  be  dealt  with  as  a 
traitor." 

Such  was  the  substance,  and  almost  the  very  lan- 
guage of  the  court,  and  speaks  a  warning  language 
to  all  my  countrymen,  who  are  citizens  of  the  United 
States. 

The  jury  were  not  long  in  retirement,  but  soon 
brought  in  the  anticipated  verdict  of  guilty ;  shaped, 
however,  so  as  to  render  it  of  a  special  character.  It 
was  in  these  words : — 


«. 


216 


?i 


I         ! 


"  If  the  Prisoner  is  a  British  Subject,  he  is 
GUILTY  OF  Treason." 

It  astonished  the  court,  the  counsel,  and  the  bar, 
as  was  evident  from  their  countenances,  and  evi- 
dently threw  the  responsibility  on  the  court.  As  the 
verdict  was  tantamount  to  an  acquittal,  as  I  was  a 
citizen  of  the  United  States,  the  crowd  received  its 
annunciation  with  evident  signs  of  joy. 

After  a  motion  in  arrest  of  judgment,  and  a  con- 
sultation on  the  bench,  between  the  chief  justice  and 
crown  lawyers,  I  was  remanded  to  prison,  amidst  the 
audible  good  wishes  and  prayers  of  many  as  I  passed 
through  the  crowd.  But  the  "exeunt  omnes,"  at  this 
falling  of  the  curtain,  did  not  close  the  eventful  drama. 


^!i 


t ; 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Sentence. 


On  the  fourth  day  after  my  trial,  the  10th  of 
April,  Messrs.  John  Anderson,  John  Montgomery, 
Gilbert  F.  Morden,  and  myself,  were  called  out,  and 
escorted  by  a  guard  to  the  court-house,  and  placed 
together  in  the  crimmal  box,  to  listen  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  court.  His  lordship  first  called  up  Mr. 
Montgomery ;  who,  when  asked  why  sentence  of 
death  should  not  be  pronounced,  remarked,  that  he 
had  nothing  to  say,  other  than  to  protest  that  he  had 
not  been  allowed  a  fair  trial ;  and  to  assert,  that  if 
he  had  been  thus  favoured,  he  could  have  shown  to 
the  court,  by  competent  witnesses,  that  the  persons 
who  had  testified  against  him,  had  been  hir':d  for  that 
purpose ;  and  that  they  had  committed  a,  base  and 
wilful  perjury.  Mr.  Anderson  thought  it  extremely 
/    hard,  that  he  should  be  treated  with  so  much  sevc- 


m   \ 


tJmUH/immm^cmiM  u-u.  »mmtmm 


Subject,  he  is 

1,  and  the  bar, 
mces,  and  evi- 
:  court.  As  the 
ttal,  as  I  was  a 
/d  received  its 

y- 

ent,  and  a  con- 
lief  justice  and 
son,  amidst  the 
my  as  I  passed 
omnes,"atthis 
iventful  drama. 


the   10th  of 
Montgomery, 
ailed  out,  and 
e,  and  placed 
to  the  judg- 
called  up  Mr. 
sentence  of 
irked,  that  he 
St  that  he  had 
issert,  that  if 
ave  shown  to 
t  the  persons 
hi r^:^  for  that 
a,  base  and 
it  extremely 
much  sevc- 


217 

rity,  after  being  entrapped  by  the  proclamation  of 
the  governor,  Sir  Francis  Bond  Head — that  he  could 
have  made  his  escape  to  the  United  States,  as  well 
as  others,  who  had  fled,  and  reached  there  in  safety; 
but,  relying  implicitly  on  the  supposed  honour  of  the 
government,  he  had  come  voluntarily  into  town,  and 
delivered  himself  up  to  the  governor  in  person — that 
the  governor  had  accepted  his  delivery,  but  kept  him 
in  waiting  in  the  apartment,  until  he  had  procured  a 
guard,  when  he  sent  him  to  prison — that  he  neither 
pretended  to  plead  any  thing  in  vindication  of  his 
conduct,  nor  deny  that  he  had  taken  up  arms ;  but 
that  he  thought,  if,  as  stated  by  Sir  Francis,  in  the 
proclamation,  that  the  principles  of  monarchy  were 
honour,  it  was  a  disgraceful  affair  to  entrap  a  man 
as  he  had  been;  and,  when  in  their  power,  visit 
him  with  the  severest  penalties  of  the  law. 

Mr.  Morden  argued  pretty  much  in  the  same 
words ;  when  the  three  were  called  upon  by  name, 
to  listen  to  their  sentence.  The  judge,  addressing 
Montgomery,  said  that  the  jury  had  recommended 
him  to  mercy;  which  recommendation  he  would 
lay  before  the  governor  and  his  council;  and  he 
thought  it  would  be  considered  attentively:  but, 
that  he,  Montgomery,  had  been  always  known  as  a 
bitter  opponent  to  her  majesty's  government — that, 
by  his  wealth  and  influence,  he  ought  to  have  sus- 
tained the  government ;  not  aided  those  wicked  and 
designing  men  who  attempted  its  overthrow.  To 
Mr.  Anderson,  he  explained  the  manner  in  which 
he  had  lived  under  the  government — that  he  had 
become  wealthy ;  but  was  always  found  in  the  ranks 
of  those  troubling  the  government  for  reform ; — vin-: 
dicated  the  governor  in  his  manner  of  treating  him ; 
and  concluded,  by  saying  that  he  need  not  expect 
any  mercy. 

To  Mr.  Morden,  the  judge  recapitulated  the  evi- 
dence against  him,  and  said,  that,  not  satisfied  with 
the  very  active  part  he  had  taken  in  the  late  "  wilful 

19 


I 

I 


';  1. 


m 


Mm 


H 


1^   I 


i 


■k 


B«  (  K 


':• 


218 

and  unnatural  rebellion,"  he  had  induced  others  to 
solicit  aid  from  a  foreign  power,  and  invite  over  the 
brigands  of  that  country,  to  aid  the  discontented  to 
overturn  and  subvert  her  majesty's  government  in 
those  provinces — that  even  a  letter  had  been  found 
in  his  possession  to  that  effect,  which  he  was  to 
carry  over  to  the  United  States  for  such  purpose ; 
but  that  a  wise  and  beneficent  Providence  had  over- 
thrown his  evil  designs — that  he  was  now  about  to 
meet  the  punishment  due  his  "  heinous  offence  ;*' 
and  prayed  earnestly  that  he  should,  by  his  repent- 
ance, prepare  to  meet  his  offended  God. 

Sentence  was  then  pronounced  upon  those  three 
gentlemen ;  and,  liaving  been  an  attentive  listener, 
and  not  being  called  up  with  them,  I  was  induced 
to  believe  that  some  different  fate  awaited  me,  par- 
ticularly when  I  reflected  upon  the  verdict  of  the 
jury ;  but  a  moment  more,  and,  with  the  rich,  mu- 
sical voice  of  his  lordship,  "  a  change  came  over  my 
dream,"  as  the  low,  shrill  sounds  reached  the  ears 
of  that  silent  crowd : — And  you,  Edward  Alexan- 
der Theller,  what  have  you  got  to  say,  why 
sentence  of  death  should  not  be  pronounced 
AGAINST  YOU  ?"  I  advauccd  to  the  front  of  the  box, 
and  addressed  him  as  follows — poorly  prepared,  as 
the  reader  may  well  imagine,  under  such  circum- 
stances; little  believing,  cruel  and  vindictive  as  I 
knew  the  British  policy  to  be,  that  they  would  dare 
to  venture  to  this  extent,  in  trampling  under  foot 
their  own  laws,  and  their  solemn  treaties,  in  their 
own  halls  of  justice  :* 

My  Lord, 

I  suppose  that  any  thing  I  may  have  to  say  will 
not  prevent  you  from  passing  the  sentence  which 

•  I  have  found  these  remarks,  as  addressed  to  the  Court,  since  pub- 
lished in  many  of  the  Canada  papers,  and  with  but  some  very  slight 
variations ;  and  that  I  am  indebted  to  my  brethren  of  the  American 
press,  very  generally,  for  transferring  them  to  their  columns ;  as  also  to 
the  English  and  Parisian  press. 


\.\ 


219 


ced  others  to 
ivite  over  the 
scontented  to 
>vernment  in 
d  been  found 
h  he  was  to 
ich  purpose ; 
ice  had  over- 
low  about  to 
us  offence ;" 
y  his  repent- 

1  those  three 
tive  listener, 
was  induced 
ted  me,  par- 
Jrdict  of  the 
he  rich,  mu- 
me  over  my 
lied  the  ears 
!iD  Alexan- 

O    SAY,  WHY 
'RONOUNCED 

of  the  box, 
)repared,  as 
ich  circum- 
ictive  as  I 
would  dare 
under  foot 
es,  in  their 


to  say  will 
nee  which 

irt,  since  pub- 
le  very  slight 
the  American 
ms ;  as  also  to 


you  have  already  prepared;  and,  although  yoL 
question  is  part  of  the  usual  prescribed  form,  and 
however  fruitless  any  remarks  from  me  may  appear 
at  this  moment,  standing  in  the  peculiar  position  in 
which  I  am  placed,  I  will  not  let  pass  the  opportu- 
nity, without  answering  you,  by  solemnly  protesting 
against  the  jurisdiction  of  this  court  to  try  me, 
and  against  the  unjust,  tyrannical,  and  barbarous 
law  under  which  I  have  been  tried,  and  condition- 
ally found  guilty. 

It  well  may  be  called  unjust,  tyrannical,  and  bar- 
barous ;  a  relic  of  your  olden  time — of  baronial  and 
feudal  legislation :  a  law  made  six  hundred  years  ago, 
before  England  had  a  colony,  and  when  her  sway  was 
confined  to  her  own  island.  A  law  totally  unfit  for 
the  present  day;  and  differing  as  much  from  the 
spirit  of  your  present  laws,  as  the  feelings,  minds, 
and  pursuits  of  the  men  of  that  day  differ  from  those 
of  this. 

It  is  a  law,  my  lord,  which  would  deprive  you, 
and  every  other  person  in  this  numerous  assembly, 
from  emigrating  to  any  country,  where  reasons  po- 
litical or  pecuniary  might  point  out,  and  bind  you  to 
the  country,  where,  by  the  chance-medley  of  circum- 
stances, you  were  born,  in  fetters  as  strong  as  those 
that  bound  the  Saxon  serf  to  till  the  farm  of  the 
thane,  whose  born  thrall  he  was. 

Is  it  possible,  my  lord,  that,  at  this  advanced  age 
of  civilization,  such  a  law  would  be  enforced — a 
prerogative  which  the  crown  of  no  other  nation 
holds  over  their  born  subjects ;  and  one  which  every 
enlightened  being  in  the  world,  and  particularly  those 
residing  in  that  independent  republic  of  which  I  am 
a  citizen,  will,  and  ought  to,  look  upon  with  horror 
and  detestation. 

I  protested  on  my  trial  against  the  jurisdiction  of 
this  court.  That  I  could  not  be  found  guilty  of  trea- 
son, not  being  a  subject  of  Great  Britain,  but  a 
citizen  of  the  United  States ;  and  that,  if  I  had  com- 


•  ( 


i\ 


I 


H 


I' 


'=  I 


;t   : 


220 

mitted  an  oflence,  it  was  one  against  the  law  of 
nations :  and  that  I  conld  not  be  tried  in  this  pro- 
vince, but  in  England,  or  the  country  of  which  I  was 
a  citizen. 

It  was  admitted,  my  lord,  by  the  court,  "  that  I  am 
a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  but  not  less  a  subject : 
no  act  of  mine  could  make  me  aught  else. — That 
Great  Britain  could,  notwithstanding  my  citizenship, 
still  hold  me  as  a  subject."  Such  doctrine  certainly 
places  the  naturalized  citizens  of  the  United  States 
in  a  singular  predicament ;  obliged,  as  they  arc,  to 
do  military  duty,  as  well  as  the  native  born,  without 
distinction.  In  event  of  war,  if  they  were  ordered 
to  invade  the  British  dominions,  by  refusing,  they 
would  be  punished  by  the  one  governm^' it,  as  for 
insubordination  and  cowardice ;  or  obeyir-g,  be  pu- 
nished by  the  other  as  traitors. 

A  precedent  was  quoted  by  the  attorney-general, 
in  the  case  of  Eneas  McDonald,  which  somewhat 
resembled  mine,  as  your  lordship  remarked.  He  was 
found  guilty  also,  but  not  executed ;  and  this  hap- 
pened ninety -three  years  ago.  Since  that  time,  what 
a  change  has  taken  place  amon^j;  nations,  as  among 
men !  More  liberal  and  extended  views  have  been 
held  both  by  the  governors  and  the  governed ; — a 
new  nation  has  sprung  up  from  English  colonists, 
with  a  population  of  upwards  of  seventeen  millions, 
one-fourth  of  whom  are  in  the  same  situation  as  my- 
self, having  been  born  under  a  monarchy,  but  who 
have  since  become  citizens  of  a  free  and  independ- 
ent republic,  whose  constitution  was  framed  directly 
opposite  to  the  law  laid  down  by  this  court — "  once 
a  subject,  always  a  subject." 

When  tried,  my  lord,  I  rested  my  defence  on  that 
ground.  I  did  not  call  evidence  to  prove,  as  I  might 
have  done,  that  when  pursuing  my  course  from  an 
American  port,  in  an  American  schooner,  and  going 
to  an  American  island,  and  in  the  regular  channel 
and  thoroughfare  which  all  regular  vessels  take  that 


•.-ii'ni--iiTiWienr  irn 


It  tlie  law  of 
d  in  this  pro- 
f  whicii  I  was 

rt,  "  that  I  am 
ess  a  subject : 
t  else. — That 
ly  citizenship, 
rine  certainly- 
United  States 
;  they  are,  to 
born,  without 
were  ordered 
efusing,  they 
nm^'.it,  as  for 
eyii:g,  be  pu- 

rney-general, 
;h  somewhat 
ked.  He  was 
nd  this  hap- 
at  time,  what 
IS,  as  among 
s  have  been 
overned ; — a 
sh  colonists, 
een  millions, 
ation  as  my- 
ly,  but  who 
d  indepeiid- 
med  directly 
mrt — "  once 

nee  on  that 
,  as  I  might 
:se  from  an 
r,  and  going 
lar  channel 
;ls  take  that 


221 

pass  and  repass  from  the  ports  of  the  states  of  New 
York,  Ohio,  Michigan,  Illinois,  and  Wisconsin,  I  was 
fired  upon  in  repeated  volleys  of  musketry,  by  your 
militia,  Indians,  and  negroes,  of  Maiden ;  and  when 
driven  upon  your  shores  by  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  and  my  men  killed  and  wounded  by  the 
galling  fire  of  three  or  four  hundred  concealed  rifle- 
men, I  fired  upon  them  in  self-defence ;  this  I  would 
have  proved ;  and  if  your  lordship  could  remember, 
nearly  all  of  which  was  admitted  by  the  very  evi- 
dence brought  against  me  by  my  captors,  as  they 
styled  themselves.  They,  even  they,  admitted  the 
greater  part. 

And  now,  my  lord,  after  three  months'  severe 
imprisonment,  the  greater  part  of  which  time  was 
passed  in  chains,  I  have  been  tried  for  "  not  having 
the  fear  of  God  in  my  heart,  nor  weighing  the  alle- 
giance which  I  owed  her  majesty  the  queen."  An 
allegiance  which  I  did  not  consider  myself  to  owe,  and 
which  many  years  before  I  had  solemnly  sworn,  in 
open  court,  to  renounce,  in  the  manner  prescribed 
by  the  constitution  of  the  United  States. 

And  what,  my  lord,  was  the  verdict  of  the  jury  ? 
a  conditional  one.  Their  discriminating  minds  plainly 
perceived  that  I  could  not  be  a  citizen  of  one  country 
and  the  subject  of  another ;  that  both  were  incompa- 
tible ;  and  they  gave  in  a  verdict,  which  to  me  seems 
a  strange  one — "  If  I  was  a  British  subject,  I  was 
guilty  of  treason."  I  am  not  a  subject,  therefore  I 
am  not  guilty  of  treason. 

I  am  far  from  saying,  or  wishing  either  you,  my 
lord,  or  any  that  hears  me,  to  understand  me  to  say, 
that  I  consider  that  I  have  done  wrong  in  what  I  have 
done.  No !  I  embarked  in  what  I  considered  then, 
and  most  religiously  believe  now,  to  be  a  holy,  a  just, 
and  a  virtuous  cause — the  cause  of  a  people  op- 
pressed. But,  my  lord,  I  will  admit,  that  in  my  en- 
thusiasm, I  may  have  stepped  over  the  bounds  pre- 
scribed by  the  laws  of  my  own  country,  to  which  I 

19* 


li' 


'.  \ 


I 


!   :    i' 


222 

am  amenable ;  and  were  I  before  a  tribunal  there,  I 
might  admit  my  oHence,  but  in  extenuation,  I  would 
show  them,  as  was  proved  on  my  trial  here,  before 
your  lordship,  and  your  packed  jury. 

I  was  here  informed  by  his  lordship  that  I  must 
not  insult  the  court. 

I  mean  no  insult  to  your  lordship ;  but  I  reiterate 
what  I  have  said ;  I  would  show  in  extenuation,  that 
in  the  middle  of  December  last,  there  came  to  J)e- 
troit,  where  I  resided,  a  vast  number  of  men  who 
fled  from  this  country ;  many  of  them  were  poor, 
hungry,  and  naked.  They  had  fled  from  their 
homes  and  their  families  at  a  moment's  notice.  They 
fled,  for  the  Orange  blood-hounds  were  on  their 
track ;  the  polluters  of  female  innocence,  and  the 
loyal  burners  of  houses  and  barns  were  behind. 
They  came  to  us.  They  told  the  story  of  their  suf- 
ferings and  their  wrongs ;  and,  my  lord,  I  believed 
them ;  for  on  every  page  in  the  history  of  my  native 
land,  I  could  find  cases  parallel. 

Well,  my  lord,  we  fed  and  clothed  them — nay,  we 
did  more — we  furnished  them  with  arms  and  mu- 
nitions of  war;  we  said.  Go  back  to  your  homes,  there 
is  what  you  have  said  you  wanted ;  and  if  you  show 
your  determination,  and  want  help,  to  gain  your 
country's  liberty,  we  will  volunteer  and  aid  you. 
We  knew  they  spoke  the  truth  when  they  told  us  of 
what  they  suffered  from  the  petty  officials  of  your 
government,  for  we  had  it  confirmed  by  those  on  our 
frontier  who  had  been  in  a  little  brief  authority,  insult- 
ing our  citizens  whom  business  had  induced  to  go 
over  among  them. 

In  the  midst  of  this  excitement  there  came  to  us 
the  thrilling  news  of  the  cutting  out,  and  the  burning, 
of  the  steamboat  Caroline,  at  Schlosser — a  cold- 
blooded, murderous  act,  my  lord ;  and  one  that  will 
yet  be  avenged.  It  was  felt  as  an  indignity  com- 
mitted on  our  national  honour — an  insult  to  our  na- 
tional flag.     Before  that  time  nothing  was  done  that 


■  I 

■11 


iinal  there,  I 

lion,  I  would 

here,  before 

)  that  I  must 

It  I  reiterate 
nuation,  that 
;ame  to  J)e- 
Df  men  who 
,  were  poor, 
.  from  their 
lotice.  They 
ere  on  their 
ice,  and  the 
ircre  behind, 
of  their  suf- 
d,  I  beheved 
of  ray  native 

im — nay,  we 
ms  and  mu- 
lomes,  there 
if  you  show 
>  gain  your 
id  aid  you. 
;y  told  us  of 
als  of  your 

hose  on  our 
ority,  insult- 

uced  to  go 

ame  to  us 
le  burning, 
r — a  cold- 
He  that  will 
gnity  com- 
to  our  na- 
i  done  that 


!' 


223 

could  be  said  to  compromit  our  neutral  relations ;  we 
wished  and  prayed  for  the  success  of  those  wiio,  like 
the  sires  of  our  own  revolution  of  '70,  were,  like 
them,  battling  against  oppression  ;  but  the  scene  was 
changed  ;  v  u  became,  through  the  outrage  conmiittcd 
on  our  country's  honour,  indignant  and  revengeful — 
participators  in  the  matter — and  might  be  considered 
as  having  committed  a  breach  of  the  laws  of  our 
own  country ;  to  whose  jurisdiction  1  ought  to  be 
restored. 

And  now,  again,  my  lord,  in  the  face  of  high 
Heaven,  and  in  this  presence,  before  this  assemblage 
of  your  citizens  and  soldiers,  I  again  solemnly  pro- 
test against  your  proceedings,  to  carry  into  effect  the 
iniquitous  sentence  which,  months  before,  your  late 
governor  threatened  me  with,  if  I  would  not  accede 
to  his  wishes,  and  turn  traitor  to  the  cause  in  which 
I  had  embarked — warning  you,  and  those  that  hear 
me,  that  you  are  exceeding  the  powers  which  a  colo- 
nial government  may  have  given  you ;  and  in  an  ob- 
scure part  of  the  dominions  of  Great  Britain,  enforc- 
ing a  barbarous  law,  which  she  in  her  own  island 
dared  not  to  do. 

I  have  now  done,  my  lord  ;  I  will  not  detain  you 
any  longer ;  nor  will  I  ever  condescend  to  sue  or 
entreat  you,  but,  if  consistent  with  your  duty  as  a 
judge,  I  would  request  you  not  to  be  in  a  hurry  in 
this  matter,  and  do  nothing  rashly.  '^  I/I  must  be 
executed,^'  as  your  lordship  remarked  some  weeks 
ago,  give  at  least  time  for  the  matter  to  be  heard  be- 
fore the  proper  tribunals  of  the  home  government, 
and  have  your  sovereign's  pleasure  thereon. 

His  lordship — as  I  was  obliged  to  call  him, 
although  it  may  sound  strange  to  republican  ears — 
then  returned  the  comjjlkncnt,  by  addressing  me, 
saying  he  had  a  most  paini'ui  and  unpleasant  duty 
to  perform ;  was  pleased  to  bestow  upon  me  a  repu- 
tation for  eminent  talent,  but  was  sorry  to  remark 


(1 


1! 
I- 


i 


i  't 


224 

that  as  yet  I  had  shown  no  signs  of  contrition  for  my 
conduct,  and  that  I  should  even  come  there  dressed 
in  the  rebel  uniform,  with  the  stars,  the  insignia,  as  he 
termed  it,  of  my  command,  blazoning  on  my  breast, 
to  insult  the  court.  Here,  to  the  evident  amazement 
of  the  whole  assemblage,  I  interrupted  his  lordship, 
by  saying,  that  as  his  lordship  had  interrupted  me 
when  I  was  addressing  him,  I  presumed  he  would 
not  take  it  amiss,  that  I  would  inform  him  that  none 
could  better  know  than  himself,  that  I  had  been 
robbed  of  all  by  her  majesty's  most  loyal  volunteers 
at  Maiden,  when  I  was  captured,  and  that  I  had  no 
other  dress  but  that  which  I  then  wore :  that  money 
and  clothing  which  had  been  sent  to  me  since  my 
confinement  had  been  kept  from  me  by  orders  of  the 
governor,  and  that  in  a  strange  place,  and  in  the 
present  state  of  public  feeling,  when  I  could  not 
obtain  leave  to  see  my  friends,  it  was  a  strange  per- 
version of  his  lordship  to  attribute  that  to  insult, 
which  I  was  compelled  to  by  necessity,  to  appear  in 
the  only  dress  I  had :  that,  in  my  humble  opinion,  it 
was  beneath  the  dignity  of  the  court  to  take  notice 
of  so  trivial  a  matter  as  that  of  the  dress  in  which 
any  person  should  appear,  particularly  in  my  peculiar 
situation,  when  I  was  well  assured  his  lordship  was 
acquainted  with  the  circumstances  of  the  case. 

"Why  not  take  off  those  stars?" 

"  They  are  fastened  on,  my  lord,  in  such  a  manner 
that  they  are  not  easily  taken  off:  had  they  been  they 
would  have  been  snatched  off  by  some  of  your 
volunteer  officers,  who  attempted  it  at  Maiden." 

"  If  you  were  disposed,  sir,  you  might  have  cut 
them  off  before  appearing  in  this  court  ?" 

"  I  am  not  disposed,  my  lord,  to  do  any  thing  of 
the  kind.  I  have  worn  them  in  fight,  I  have  worn 
them  since,  and  I  religiously  intend  to  wear  them  for 
the  brief  period  which  you  may  allow  me  to  live." 

His  lordship  then  proceeded  to  pass  the  sentence, 
which  was,  that  Edward  A.  Theller  should  be  taken 


':  % 


mm 


225 


ition  for  my 
here  dressed 
isignia,  as  he 
ti  my  breast, 
t  amazement 
Ills  lordship, 
errupted  me 
d  he  would 
m  that  none 
I  had  been 
il  volunteers 
tiat  I  had  no 
that  money 
le  since  my 
orders  of  the 
and  in  the 
I  could  not 
strange  per- 
at  to  insult, 
to  appear  in 
le  opinion,  it 
take  notice 
3SS  in  which 
my  pe  2uliar 
Drdship  was 
I  case* 

ih  a  manner 
y  been  they 
le   of  your 
alden." 
have  cut 


from  the  court  to  the  place  from  whence  he  last  came 
— that  on  Tuesday,  the  24th  day  of  the  present  month, 
April,  he  should  be  drawn  on  a  hurdle  to  the  usual 
place  of  execution — there  hanged  by  the  neck  until 
he  was  dead — that  his  body  be  quartered  and  given 
to  the  surgeon  for  dissection — and  that  the  Lord  have 
mercy  on  his  soul.  To  the  latter  words  I  gravely 
bowed,  as  expressive  of  my  thanks  for  his  lordship's 
kind  wishes  for  my  Creator's  mercy  for  my  soul, 
inwardly  praying  at  the  same  time  that  He  might  be 
lenient  to  those  who  had  no  mercy. 

On  our  march  back  to  prison  I  was  somewhat 
affected  by  the  general  expression  of  sympathy  dis- 
played for  my  situation,  as  the  guards  made  way  for 
us  through  the  immense  mass  of  living  beings, 
assembled  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  us  or  learn  our  doom. 
And  it  was  gratifying,  as  we  passed  those  who  had 
been  spectators  and  listeners  to  the  whole  proceed- 
ings, to  see  friends  to  whom  I  could  bow,  and  on 
whom  I  could  bestow  the  smile,  perhaps  the  last 
smile  of  recognition ;  a  smile,  alas,  tortured  by  the 
tory  press  into  a  spirit  of  levity  and  reckless  bravado. 
I  felt  somewhat  remunerated,  too,  for  the  sacrifice 
about  to  take  place,  when  I  heard  their  whispered 
prayers  for  my  release,  and  the  proud  gratulations 
of  even  many  of  the  tories,  that  they  were  proud  and 
happy  to  call  me  their  countryman. 


1; 


ly  thing  of 
have  worn 
ar  them  for 
to  live." 
e  sentence, 
d  be  taken 


f«r 


226 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Ul 


:  \ 


i 


;)■  it. 


Execution  of  Lount  and  Matthews. 

"  Is  this  fair  recompense  1 
Has  heaven  no  thunder  7     Are  the  lightnings  quenched  1 
Is  virtue  stricken  dumb,  and  justice  dead  ? 
Are  men  unsexed  and  cowards  1  that  such  a  deed 
Can  smoke  its  hellish  sulphur  in  our  face, 
And  shall  we  choke  without  a  cry  1" 

The  gloomy  shadows  which  haunted  our  prison 
were  now  fast  ripening  into  painful  and  substantial 
realities ;  but  forty-eight  hours  were  to  pass  before 
the  noble-hearted  Lount  and  Matthews  were  to  be  led 
to  the  scaffold,  to  expiate  that  crime  which  their 
God  had  instilled  in  their  bosom,  their  love  of  free- 
dom, their  hatred  of  tyranny ;  and  yet  hope  lingered 
within  those  walls,  the  hope  that  even  a  callous- 
hearted,  brutal  master  of  galley-slaves,  the  governor, 
might  listen  to  the  voices  of  the  many  thousands 
who  besought  their  pardon — a  vain,  futile  hope.  For, 
although  the  whole  county  was  averse  to  the  shed- 
ding of  their  blood ;  although  Mrs.  Lount,  but  the  day 
before  the  execution,  presented  the  petition  of  thirty- 
five  thousand  inhabitants  in  their  favour,  she,  the  wife 
of  a  statesman  and  a  hero,  was  spurned  from  the 
presence  of  the  representative  of  majesty,  and  insen- 
sible at  his  feet,  dragged  from  the  executive  chamber, 
he  declaring  that  the  man  who  could  control  under 
those  circumstances  the  friendship  of  thirty-five  thou- 
sand men,  who  had  been  presumed  to  be  loyal,  was 
too  dangerous  a  citizen  to  be  pardoned.  Thus  it 
would  appear,  that  the  very  means  resorted  to  by  his 
friends  to  save  his  life  only  hastened  his  death ;  and 
that  the  prayers  of  a  dis^nsolate  wife,  for  the  life 
of  her  husband,  and  the  father  and  protector  of  her 


227 


36? 

i  quenched  1 
deed 


ed  our  prison 
d  substantial 
3  pass  before 
ivere  to  be  led 
I  which  their 
love  of  free- 
lope  lingered 
in  a  callous- 
he  governor, 
y  thousands 
ehope.   For, 
to  the  shed- 
but  the  day 
on  of  thirty- 
she,  the  wife 
d  from  the 
.and  insen- 
7e  chamber, 
)ntrol  under 
y-five  thou- 
loyal,  was 
.     Thus  it 
id  to  by  his 
ieath;  and 
for  the  life 
ctor  of  her 


1. 


children,  backed  by  the  voice  of  the  whole  commu- 
nity, had  no  influence  upon  this  monster ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  he  tauntingly  insulted  her  in  her  wretched- 
ness, by  asking  her,  with  a  sneer ,  whether  she  thought 
her  husband  was  prepared  to  die ;  and  being  answered 
in  the  affirmative,  with  hypocritical  countenance 
expressing  his  doubts,  as  by  inference  from  conver- 
sation with  Mr.  Lount,  when  visiting  the  prison; 
saying  he  had  understood  him  directly  to  refuse  to 
reveal  the  names  of  any  of  his  accomplices,  or  any 
thing  in  relation  to  them,  whom  he  said  were  nume- 
rous, many  thought  by  the  government  to  be  loyal, 
and  some  holding  office,  and  that  therefore  he 
doubted  whether  he  could  be  prepared  for  death — 
but, "  Well,  well,  '\iyou  think  he  is  prepared,  let  him 
die  now  ;  at  another  time  he  may  not  be  so  well 
prepared ;"  and  then,  the  unhappy  wife  swooning 
and  falling,  as  it  were,  dead  at  his  feet,  coolly  turning 
upon  his  heel  and  leaving  the  apartment,  giving 
orders  for  her  immediate  removal,  as  he  traversed 
his  way  to  the  council,  where,  according  to  the  official 
document  published,  he  was  advised  by  the  chief- 
justice,  Robinson,  to  let  the  case  take  its  own  course, 
as  he,  the  chief-justice,  "^aw;  no  ground  upon  which 
he  felt  that  he  could  properly  recommend  a  par- 
don or  respite,  in  either  the  case  of  Samuel  Lount 
or  Peter  Matthews. 

At  meridian  the  sheriff"  entered  with  his  orders  to 
inform  the  prisoners  that,  "his  excellency  having 
advised  with  his  executive  council,  felt  it  necessary 
to  direct  that  the  prisoners  be  informed  that  there 
was  no  intention  of  staying  the  execution  of  the  law 
passed  upon  them :"  Then  came  the  hour  of  despair, 
and  of  utter  hopelessness ;  and  when,  at  night, 
through  the  humanity  'of  the  jailer,  the  families  of 
the  condemned  were  permitted  to  take  a  last  farewell 
of  the  brave  and  affectionate  husband,  the  noble  and 
generous  father,  there  might  be  heard  the  stifling 
groans  and  heart-breaking  sighs  of  the  bereaved,  com- 


■■1 


\' 


11 


if     .?  :     ■ 


f^ 


i 


^^ 


i'-i 


:i 


ii  li : 


iUi 


I 


228 

mingling  with  the  blows  of  the  hammer  and  the 
harsh  grating  of  the  saw  of  the  workmen  erecting 
the  scaffold,  from  which  they  were  to  be  launched  in- 
to eternity.  That  scaffold  !  How  can  I  ever  forget 
it,  or  forget  the  authors  of  that  species  of  refined 
cruelty,  ordering  it  to  be  removed  from  the  usual 
place,  and  erecting  it  before  the  room  occupied  by 
'Mr.  Anderson  and  myself,and  where  Mr. Montgomery 
and  Mr.  Morden  could  have  a  full  view  of  it  from 
their  room  !  All  for  the  purpose,  as  they  declared, 
of  giving  us  a  foretaste ;  and  as  evidence  of  this  fe- 
rocious feeling,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  relate  a 
fact  connected  with  it.  A  short  time  previous,  the 
editor  of  the  Palladium,  at  Toronto,  had  entered  our 
prison  as  a  grand  juror,  and  had  seen  and  conversed 
with  us  all,  and  when  issuing  his  next  paper,  in  a 
very  candid,  impassioned  article,  spoke  of  us  indivi- 
dually and  collectively,  saying  that  he  was  surprised  to 
find  so  much  intelligence — so  many  thoughtful  and 
reflecting  countenances,  and  in  witnessing  so  great  a 
display  of  intellect ;  and  was  pleased  particularly  to 
point  me  out  in  a  favourable  light.  In  commenting  on 
this  article,  the  day  before  the  erection  of  the  scaflbld, 
the  editor  of  the  Patriot,  the  official  paper,  in  most 
vulgar  and  uncouth  phrase  attempts  to  ridicule  the 
position  assumed  by  his  neighbour  of  the  Palladium, 
and  then  with  all  the  bitterness  of  a  narrow  mind,  a 
je.Jous  and  envious  heart,  with  a  weak  head,  de- 
nounces me  as  a  blackguard,  a  bully,  a  cut-throat,  and 
with  as  many  more  polite  expletives  as  the  reader 
may  readily  imagine,  and  closes  by  stating  that  on 
the  morrow  I  should  have  a  foretaste  of  the  gallows, 
on  which  I  was  to  be  hanged,  by  its  erection  oppo- 
site my  prison  window.  All  of  which  his  master 
caused  to  be  performed  according  to  the  small  bills, 
defining  the  scenery  and  dresses  to  show  off  the 
loathing  tragedy,  in  the  gaudy  plumage  and  trap- 
pings usual  on  such  occasions  at  the  king's  theatre. 
At  length  the  morning  dawned — the  hammering 


•U.. 


mer  and  the 
:men  erecting 
;  launched  in- 
I  ever  forget 
es  of  refined 
)m  the  usual 
occupied  by 
.Montgomery 
3W  of  it  from 
hey  declared, 
ce  of  this  fe- 
3r  to  relate  a 
previous,  the 
d  entered  our 
nd  conversed 
t  paper,  in  a 
of  us  indivi- 
s  surprised  to 
oughtful  and 
ing  so  great  a 
articularly  to 
mmenting  on 
f  the  scaflold, 
per,  in  most 

ridicule  the 
e  Palladium, 
TOW  mind,  a 
ak  head,  de- 
it-throat,  and 

the  reader 

iting  that  on 

the  gallows, 

ection  oppo- 

his  master 

small  bills, 
low  off  the 
e  and  trap- 
a:'s  theatre. 

hammering 


229 

ceased,  and  there  it  stood,  a  finished  work — the  two 
fatal  nooses  suspended  from  the  beam  which  crossed 
the  platform — and  the  executioner,  having  adjusted 
the  ropes,  fixing  the  drops,  and  eyeing  the  whole 
with  the  air  of  a  connoisseur,  preparatory  to  his  de- 
parture to  give  the  intelligence  that  the  stage  was 
ready,  the  actors  in  waiting,  and  the  audience  grow- 
ing impatient.  I  have  no  heart  to  make  an  effort  to 
describe  the  state  of  our  feelings  at  that  hour — no 
pen  can  portray  the  sensations  awakened  in  our  bo- 
soms ;  but  there  we  were,  compelled  to  see  and  hear 
all,  whether  so  disposed  or  not,  or  bandage  our  own 
eyes  and  stop  the  ears  from  hearing.  The  scaffold 
war  thus  placed  back,  and  the  space  between  it  and 
the  populace  crowded  with  guards,  some  thought  to 
keep  the  people  out  of  hearing  distance,  should  the 
unfortunate  men  wish  to  address  them.  Patrols  of 
cavalry  paraded  the  streets,  whilst  the  infantry  and  a 
few  Indians  kept  in  column  and  guarded  the  impor- 
tant points  about  the  vicinity;  a  vast  number  of 
the  people  having  come  to  witness  the  scene  before 
the  hour  had  arrived,  which  was  to  have  been  seven 
or  eight  o'clock. 

Lingering  at  that  window,  from  which  it  was  our 
fate  to  witness  the  execution,  and  momentarily  anti- 
cipating their  appearance  upon  the  scaffold,  we  were 
surprised  by  a  knock  at  the  door,  and  by  the  voice  of 
Lount,  calling  upon  me.  He  had  been  in  the  habit, 
daily,  of  coming  up  in  that  hall  to  obey  the  dictates 
of  nature,  and  we  had  always  known  him  by  his 
tread  and  the  clanking  of  his  chains ;  but  now  we 
heard  no  chains ;  and  on  hearing  his  manly  voice, 
clear  and  unruffled,  I  dared  to  think  for  a  moment 
he  was  respited.  How  vain  and  fleeting  the  illusion ! 
His  chains  had  been  knocked  off  to  dress  him  for  the 
scaffold,  and  he  had  made  the  excuse  to  afford  him 
an  opportunity  to  give  us  the  last  salutation — the 
dying  vale !  He  appeared  firm,  and  perfectly  pre- 
pared for  his  doom,  saying  that  this  would  be  our 

20 


;  I 


(  ' 


BIH1 


M' 

1 

r 

1 

i  "  1 

;' 

;! 

, 


230 

last  interview — ^ihat  he  was  t|;icn  going  out  to  meet 
his  fate — exhorted  me  to  be  prepared,  as  he  had 
learned  ofRcially,  that  after  himself  and  Matthews,  I 
was  to  be  the  next  and  the  only  other  victim, — de- 
sired me  to  communicate  the  information  to  the 
others,  in  order  to  relieve  their  minds  from  the  hor- 
rors of  suspense, — and  then,  requesting  us  to  look  at 
him  through  the  window  when  he  should  ascend  the 
scaffold,  bid  us  farewell,  forever!  As  he  passed 
through  the  hall,  he  called  at  the  doors  of  the  other 
rooms,  until  obliged  by  the  turnkey  to  descend.  A 
few  minutes  afterwards  we  saw  him  and  Matthews 
walk  out  with  the  white  cap  upon  their  heads,  and 
their  arms  pinioned,  preceded  by  the  sheriff  and  his 
deputy  dressed  in  their  official  robes,  and  with  drawn 
swords — ^followed  by  two  clergymen  and  a  few  of 
our  prison  guard.  On  arriving  at  the  fatal  spot,  al- 
though the  steps  were  seven  or  eight,  and  the  ascent 
almost  perpendicular,  they  mounted  the  stage  with- 
out the  least  faltering:  Lount  first,  followed  by  the 
sheriff;  then  Matthews  and  the  deputy,  Mr.  Baird. 
Some  have  remarked  they  thought  Matthews  did  not 
ascend  with  the  firmness  displayed  by  his  fellow-suf- 
ferer ;  but  they  do  his  memory  injustice,  for  I  was 
looking  upon  the  motions  of  both  with  intense  anxi- 
ety, to  see  whether  either  disgraced  his  name  or  the 
cause  in  which  he  had  forfeited  life,  and  there  was 
not,  to  my  vision,  the  slightest  trepidation.  Lount 
looked  up  and  bowed  to  us — then  kneeling  upon  the 
trap  underneath  one  of  the  nooses,  the  cord  was 
placed  about  their  necks  by  the  executioner,  and  the 
cap  pulled  over  their  faces.  One  of  the  clergymen, 
Mr.  Richardson,  made  a  prayer — the  signal  was 
given  by  the  sheriff,  and  in  an  instant  after  these  two 
heroic  souls,  the  first  martyrs  to  Canadian  liberty, 
were  ushered  into  eternity. 

God  of  heaven !  what  a  scene  was  this  to  be  en- 
acted in  the  enlightened  nineteenth  century,  and 
within  trumpet  sound  of  those  waters  where  basks 


231 


ig  out  to  meet 

id,  as  he  had 

i  Matthews,  I 

r  victim, — de- 

tiation  to   the 

from  the  hor- 

j  us  to  look  at 

Lild  ascend  the 

A.S  he  passed 

s  of  the  other 

descend.      A 

md  Matthews 

ir  heads,  and 

iheriff  and  his 

id  with  drawn 

and  a  few  of 

fatal  spot,  al- 

ind  the  ascent 

le  stage  with- 

lowed  by  the 

y,  Mr.  Baird. 

thews  did  not 

lis  fellow-suf- 

ce,  for  I  was 

intense  anxi- 

!  name  or  the 

[id  there  was 

tion.     Lount 

ng  upon  the 

le  cord  was 

oner,  and  the 

e  clergymen, 

signal  was 

;er  these  two 

dian  liberty, 

lis  to  be  en- 
entury,  and 
kvhere  basks 


the  goddess  of  'iberty,  and  that  land  which  men  so 
proudly  trample  over  as  "freedom's  soil ;"  and  we, 
who  had  the  hearts  to  have  rushed  to  their  rescue, 
compelled,  in  our  chains,  to  witness  their  agonizing 
death  struggle,  amid  the  idle  din  of  thousands  of 
voices,  commingled  with  the  heartless  jeer  of  the  tory, 
and  the  piercing  shrieks  of  relatives  and  friends.  It 
v/as  a  moment  of  pain  and  of  torture  that  can  never 
be  obliterated  from  my  memory,  nor  will  those  wail- 
ing sounds  ever  cease  ringing  in  my  ear.  Even 
many  of  the  tory  bigots  were  surprised  at  their  own 
humanity  when  they  wished  the  fatal  deed  recalled, 
and  many  of  them,  even  when  they  were  on  the  gal- 
lows, thought  they  would  be  respited ;  and  the  sheriff 
afterwards  informed  me  that  he  waited  until  the  last 
instant  before  he  took  them  out ;  and  before  giving 
the  signal  to  the  executioner  to  withdraw  the  bolt 
which  sustained  the  drop,  had  attentively  scanned 
the  street  coming  from  the  government-house,  in  the 
hope  there  might  be  some  messenger  on  his  way  with 
a  reprieve.  But,  in  vain  did  mankind  look  to  that 
hardened  savage  for  mercy.  The  blow  must  be 
struck ;  the  foul  and  'atrocious  legalized  murder  must 
be  and  was  now  committed,  and  the  curtain  must 
fall  only  to  shut  from  our  aching  visions  the  naked, 
bleeding  quarters  of  two  men,  whose  name  will  go 
down  to  posterity,  honoured  and  wept,  whilst  those 
of  Arthur  and  Robinson  will  be  lettered  on  the 
blackened  scroll  of  infamy. 

This  tragedy,  it  was  said,  was  intended  to  operate 
as  a  warning  to  others.  They  would  barbarously 
deprive  these  men  of  life  for  the  crime  of  loving  their 
country,  and  hold  up  the  act  as  a  beacon,  warning 
others  to  beware  how  they  dared  to  love  freedom 
rather  than  slavery.  Has  it  had  the  effect  they  an- 
ticipated? Let  the  occurrences  which  have  tran- 
spired since  that  period  answer.  These  fool-hardy 
men  knew  better,  for  they  could  not  have  been  al- 
together ignorant  of  the  history  of  nations  j  they  could 


^1 


232 

not  have  been  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  never  yet  did 
revolution  roll  backward,  or  be  quelled  in  any  coun- 
try, by  a  resort  to  such  measures.  They  knew  that 
the  sacrifice  upon  the  scaftbld  of  more  than  eighteen 
thousand  victims,  by  Alva,  in  the  Low  Countries, 
within  the  period  of  five  years,  instead  of  preventing 
the  establishment  of  the  liberty  of  Holland,  gave  im- 
petus to  the  revolutionary  ball,  and  hurried  on  the 
downfall  of  tyranny.  So  will  it  be  with  Canada,  foi 
from  the  blood  of  these  victims  will  spring  thousands 
of  mailed  warriors  to  avenge  their  fall,  and  those 
now  wearing  the  gilded  trappings  of  royalty,  whose 
paricidal  arms  were  raised  against  them,  will  fall  un 
pitied  before  the  fury  of  an  indignant  and  outraged 
people. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


Character  of  Lonnt  and  Matthews. 


A  TEW  hours  after  the  populace  had  removed  from 
the  place  of  execution,  my  quarters  were  changed 
for  those  so  recently  occupied  by  my  lamented  friends, 
Lount  and  Matthews.  I  here  had  fresh  food  for  re- 
flection. There  were  their  pallets  of  straw,  their 
clothes  as  they  had  left  them  on  exchanging  for  those 
in  which  they  were  executed,  with  many  other 
articles  to  remind  one  of  their  unhappy  fate.  Brave 
men^-departed  worth,  thought  I,  none  knew  you 
but  to  love  and  respect  you :  even  your  enemies,  your 
very  murderers  admired  you  with  words  of  praise  on 
their  lips,  as  ye  were  launched  into  eternity.  Lount 
had  been  our  room-mate  for  a  time,  and  had  endeared 
himself  to  us  by  his  kindness  and  the  suavity  of  his 
manners.  I  was  particularly  attached  to  him,  and 
to  while  away  the  dreary  hours,  that  were  all  but 


never  yet  did 
in  any  coun- 
jy  knew  that 
han  eighteen 
w  Countries, 
)f  preventing 
nd,  gave  im- 
irried  on  the 
I  Canada,  for 
ng  thousands 
1,  and  those 
yalty,  whose 
will  fall  un 
nd  outraged 


moved  from 
re  changed 
tited  friends, 
food  for  re- 
straw,  their 
ng  for  those 
nany  other 
ite.  Brave 
knew  you 
emies,  your 
3f  praise  on 
ty.  Lount 
d  endeared 
ivity  of  his 
him,  and 
ere  all  but 


233 

too  fleeting,  as  each  bell  knelled  another  hour's  pro- 
gress of  my  friend  on  his  pilgrimage  to  that  "  bourne 
from  whence  no  traveller  returns,"  would  we  re- 
late passages  and  instances  in  our  lives  for  each 
other's  amusement,  or  the  gratification  of  curiosity. 

Samuel  Lount  was  born  in  the  state  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  had  lived  there  until  he  emigrated  into 
Upper  Canada,  when  he  was  twenty-two  or  twenty- 
three  years  of  age.  Entering  that  province,  he 
located  himself  at  Lake  Simcoe,  then  a  wilderness, 
where  by  industry  and  frugality  he  amassed  a  large 
property.  To  the  many  poor  settlers  who  came 
from  Europe,  and  obtained  grants  of  lands  from  the 
government,  he  was  a  friend  and  adviser,  and  in  cases 
of  necessity  their  wants  were  supplied  from  his  purse 
or  his  granaries.  Many  is  the  time,  said  some  of  our 
fellow-prisoners,  that  we  have  seen  him,  after  the 
toils  of  the  day  were  over,  leave  his  home  to  carry 
provisions  for  miles  through  the  pathless  forest,  to 
the  shanty  of  some  poor  and  destitute  settler,  who 
with  wife  and  family  were  rendered  by  want  and 
sickness  utterly  destitute.  Those  acquainted  with 
the  history  of  new  settlements  need  not  be  told  how 
often  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  better  days 
are  obliged  to  embark  in  a  new  career  of  life,  the 
duties  of  which  they  are  totally  ignorant  and  wholly 
unfitted  for,  nor  how  often  sickness  is  engendered  by 
their  great  bodily  exertions,  by  neglect  and  depriva- 
tion. 

In  a  country  like  that  in  which  Mr.  Lount  was 
settled,  the  inhabitants  resided  far  apart,  and  con- 
sisted generally  of  old,  worn,  and  superannuated 
British  officers,  who,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  pitched 
their  tents,  for  the  last  time,  in  the  wilderness.  The 
sums  which  they  obtained  from  the  sale  of  their  half- 
pay,  almost  expended  in  the  transportation  of  their 
little  families,  before  arriving  on  the  lands  assigned 
them  by  government — unfitted,  from  their  former 
pursuits,  to  bear  the  drudgery  their  new  course  of 

20* 


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234 

life  required,  it  was  frequently  the  case,  that  before 
they  could  raise  any  thing  from  their  lands,  they  be- 
came perfectly  destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  subsist- 
ence. Too  proud  to  seek  assistance,  they  would 
starve,  rather  than  communicate  their  situation ;  but 
in  Lount,  their  generous  neighbour,  they  found  one 
quick  to  discover  and  prompt  in  affording  relief,  and 
he  would  minister  to  their  wants  with  such  delicacy, 
that  the  most  sensitive  would  experience  a  pleasure 
rather  than  the  pang  of  wounded  pride.  Alas,  what 
a  contrast  between  his  treatment  of  them  and  that 
of  some  of  those  very  men,  of  his  afflicted  wife  and 
destitute  family — a  family,  robbed  of  its  protector 
and  their  property  by  government,  and  that  govern- 
ment professing  to  be  the  most  humane  amongst  the 
civilized  nations  of  the  earth  ! 

Mr.  Lount  had  seen  and  deeply  deplored  the  many 
grievances  of  their  country,  and  was  stung  with 
indignation  at  the  manner  in  which  the  people *s 
rights  were  trampled  upon  by  the  mercenary  wretches 
whom  England  had  sent  out  to  govern  them,  and 
eat  out  their  substance ;  and  whose  paltry  offices 
gave  them  a  chance  to  exert  the  power  of  riding 
over  the  prostrate  necks  of  the  hard  working  men, 
who  desired,  in  peace  and  tranquillity,  the  privilege 
of  honestly  earning  their  children's  bread.  He  had 
been  frequently  requested  by  his  friends  to  allow 
them  to  elect  him  to  a  seat  in  the  provincial  parlia- 
ment, but  had  always  declined  until  1834,  when  he 
was  elected  and  served.  As  he  had  witnessed  the 
abuses,  he  was  desirous  of  seeing  them  reformed, 
and  he  had  often,  with  Dr.  Rolph,  Mr.  Mackenzie, 
and  other  leading  reformers,  worked  diligently  to 
have  properly  represented  to  the  home  government 
their  grievances,  which  had  now  become  so  burden- 
some that  the  people  wauld  no  longer  calmly  submit 
to  them.  When  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected 
expired,  every  measure  was  resorted  to  which  could 
be  conjured  up  by  the  officials,  to  prevent  his  re- 


3,  that  before 
nds,  they  be- 
ies  of  subsist- 
,  they  would 
ituation;  but 
3y  found  one 
ng  relief,  and 
inch  delicacy, 
ce  a  pleasure 
.  Alas,  what 
em  and  that 
;ted  wife  and 
its  protector 
that  govern- 
amongst  the 

•ed  the  many 

stung  with 

the  people's 

ary  wretches 

h  them,  and 

altry  offices 

er  of  riding 

Tking  men, 

le  privilege 

'      He  had 

ds  to  allow 

icial  parlia- 

4,  when  he 
tnessed  the 
1  reformed, 
Mackenzie, 
iligently  to 
government 

so  burden- 
mly  submit 
tras  elected 
rhich  could 
ent  his  re- 


235 

election — ^means  the  most  corrupt  and  bare-faced 
were  used  by  the  governor — bribery,  of  the  most 
flagrant  kind,  openly  committed,  and  every  engine 
of  villany  put  in  motion  to  oust  Col.  Lount  and  his 
associate  reformers  from  their  seats.  One  instance, 
which  will  satisfy  the  most  fastidious,  and  which 
Wivs  proved  before  a  committee  of  the  house,  I  will 
relate.  It  is  required  by  their  laws,  to  become  a 
qu£ilified  voter  in  Canada,  that  he  be  a  freeholder  to 
a  certain  yearly  value ;  and  as  the  settlers  on  govern- 
ment lands  are  obliged  to  perform  certain  settlement 
duties  for  a  specified  term  of  years,  they  cannot 
legally  obtain  from  the  proper  crown  officer  a  deed 
of  the  lands  until  such  term  shall  have  expired,  and, 
of  course,  until  they  do  fulfil  those  requisitions  of  the 
law,  cannot  become  legal  voters.  At  the  second 
canvass  for  Col.  Lount's  seat,  public  officers  of  the 
crown  went  from  Toronto  to  the  hustings,  carrying 
witi'  them  blank  deeds,  signed  by  Sir  F.  B.  Head, 
and  offered  those  who  would  vote  against  Col. 
Lount,  and  for  his  opponent,  Robinson — the  brother 
of  the  chief-justice,  who  afterwards  tried  and  sen- 
tenced him — a  clear  deed  and  title  from  the  governor, 
notwithstanding  those  people  had  not  fulfilled  their 
settlement  duties,  and  had  been  but  a  short  time  in 
the  country.  In  this  manner,  three  hundred  and 
thirty  votes  were  obtained,  and  Col.  Lourt  driven 
out  of  his  seat,  and  the  government  enabled  to  elect, 
through  this  iniquitous  proceeding,  their  creature, 
Robinson.  "  Was  not  that  one  glaring  act,  alone," 
said  the  colonel  to  me,  "sufficient  to  make  me  rebel 
against  such  rulers  ?*' 

On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  he  raised  a  body 
of  men  in  his  neighbourhood,  with  whom  he  marched 
to  Montgomery's,  with  the  intention  of  entering 
Toronto,  but  there  being  informed  by  the  chiefs  as- 
sembled, that  there  had  been  a  mistake  in  the  time 
appointed — that  instead  of  Tuesday  it  was  Thursday 
night  the  contemplated  attack  was  to  have  taken 


J 


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him 


It'  ' 


J! 


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j 

k 

' 

'] 

i 

f 

i 

■  ' 

r " 

,  f  ' 

ir  ! 

,. 

i 

236 

place,  ho  halted  for  further  consultation.  Here 
wei'o  Mr.  Mackenzie  and  others.  Tiicy  could  not 
then  go  back,  but  with  the  men  they  tiien  had  did 
not  fiiar  an  attack;  yet,  contrary  to  the  advice  of 
Mr.  Mackenzie,  and  Mr.  Anderson,  (who  was  sriot 
by  Mr.  Powell,  the  mayor  of  Toronto,)  Col.  Lount, 
instead  of  proceeding  on,  thought  proper  to  wait  a 
reinforcement  in  the  morning.  Deeply  indeed  did 
he  afterwards  regret  he  did  not  follow  their  advice, 
instead  of  waiting  at  Montgomery's  until  Thursday 
morning,  when  the  enemy  marched  upon  them.  He 
was  in  that  day's  fight,  and  although  he  did  not 
expect  the  enemy,  still,  for  half-armed  peasantry, 
they  withstood  the  shock  admirably,  and  it  was  Col. 
Lount's  opinion,  that  had  not  their  best  and  picked 
marksmen,  who  were  with  Matthews,  at  the  Don 
Bridge,  been  absent  from  the  field,  they  would  have 
beaten  the  royalists.  Indeed  it  has  been  remarked 
by  royalists  within  my  hearing,  that  had  they  fired 
another  volley,  they  would  have  retreated,  and  left 
their  artillery  a  prize  to  the  rebels. 

After  the  retreat,  or  rather  rout.  Col.  Lount,  with 
a  few  others,  saved  Mackenzie  and  some  other 
friends  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  royalist 
cavalry,  who  were  in  hot  pursuit,  by  a  timely  firing 
from  an  ambuscade,  repulsing  them,  and  covering 
the  retreat  of  their  comrades.  Knowing  the  country 
well,  they  then  dispersed,  agreeing  to  meet  at  a  given 
place,  and  to  penetrate  to  the  London  district,  where 
it  was  understood  that  Dr.  Duncombe  and  others,  had 
or  were  about  to  make  a  demonstration.  Col.  Lount 
succeeded  in  getting  there  just  in  time  to  hear  of  the 
unfortunate  dispersion  of  Duncombe's  army,  and 
travelling  in  company,  in  disguise,  with  a  faithful 
friend,  by  the  name  of  Kennedy,  they  eluded  the 
vigilance  of  those  whom  the  reward  of  £500  had 
set  upon  his  track.  For  weeks  they  wandered  about 
the  country  and  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  until  finally 
securing  a  boat,  they  attempted  to  cross  to  the  United 


n.      Here 

ould  not 
n  had  did 
advice  of 

was  siiot 
iol.  Lount, 

to  wait  a 
iideed  did 
iir  advice, 
Thursday 
them.  He 
Q  did  not 
peasantry, 
t  was  Col. 
id  picked 
;  the  Don 
ould  have 
remarked 
they  fired 
I,  and  left 

unt,  with 
me  other 

royalist 
ely  firing 
covering 
J  country 
it  a  given 
ct,  where 
lers,  had 
jI.  Lount 
ar  of  the 
my,  and 

faithful 
ided  the 
500  had 
3d  about 
il  finally 
J  United 


237 

States.  Their  boat  was,  however,  driven,  Ujr  the 
floating  ice,  ashore  at  or  near  Long  Poiiht,  and  they 
were  captured;  but,  until  sent  to  head-quarters,  op- 
posite Navy  Island,  he  escaped  being  recogiused : 
there,  in  MacNab's  camp,  were  enough  to  point  him 
out,  and  to  be  known  was  sufticient  to  call  down 
upon  his  devoted  head  the  vilest  contumely  and 
insult.  From  thence  he  was  conveyed  in  chains  to 
Toronto,  in  which  he  remained  manacled,  until  they 
were  knocked  off  preparatory  to  his  execution. 
^^  Mais  oublions  tout  cela  au  present  P'  When 
Canada  shall  be  free,  a  monument  will  be  erected 
over  the  spot  where  his  dishonoured  and  quartered 
remains  were  entombed,  and  where  they  still  lie, 
imhonoured  and  unlettered,  but  not  unwept  nor  un- 
watched. 

Peter  Matthews  was  a  wenlthy  farmer,  and  pos- 
sessed of  great  influence  at  oug  the  people,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  his  residence.  He  had  served  as 
lieutenant,  in  the  incorporated  militia  of  the  pro- 
vince, during  the  last  war  with  the  United  States, 
and  had  signalized  himself  for  his  bravery.  On  its 
being  announced  that  the  people  had  risen,  to  assert 
their  natural  rights,  and  avenge  their  wrongs,  he 
promptly  raised  a  corps  from  his  neighbourhood, 
and  joined  Colonel  Lount,  at  Montgomery's ;  whom, 
on  the  morning  of  the  action,  he  left  for  tiie  Don 
Bridge,  with  a  company  of  riflemen,  for  the  purpose 
of  creating  a  diversion,  by  that  entrance  to  the  town. 
Crossing  the  bridge,  he  drove  the  picket  guard  before 
him,  into  the  city,  even  to  the  market-house ;  and 
was,  in  reality,  in  possession,  for  a  time,  of  the  most 
important  part  of  the  town ;  and,  by  a  small  addi- 
tional force  coming  to  his  aid,  could  have  retained 
his  position :  but,  hearing  the  cannonading  at  Mont- 
gomery's, and  anxious  to  be  in  the  mel6e,  discretion 
bade  him  retreat ;  and,  to  foil  the  enemy  in  follow- 
ing him,  to  burn  the  bridge  as  he  crossed  it ;  where, 
learning  the  state  of  affairs  with  our  friends,  he  made 


238 

a  galUnt  stand,  assuming  a  position  which  he  could 
and  would  have  maintained,  had  not  his  co-patriots 
been  beaten  back  at  Montgomery's,  thus  leaving  his 
faithful  band  between  two  fires,  and  compelling  them 
to  disperse.  Worn  out  with  fatigue,  he  was  taken,  a 
few  days  after,  at  the  house  of  a  friend ;  but,  not 
without  fighting,  did  they  become  his  masters.  His 
treatment  was  extremely  harsh ;  but,  as  he  saw  it 
could  be  of  no  avail,  like  Colonel  Lount,  he  made 
no  defence;  and,  by  the  advice  of  counsel,  plead 
guilty,  although  many  acts  were  vilely  attributed  to 
him,  of  which  he  was  perfectly  innocent.  He  was 
a  large,  fleshy  man,  and  had  much  of  the  soldier  in 
his  composition ;  and  sure  am  I,  that  he  demeaned 
himself  like  one,  and  died  like  a  man  who  feared  not 
to  meet  his  God. 


It  'f 


t^ 


i  - . 


Hi 


y 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Petition  to  the  Queen,  Governor,  and  Council — ^Tlieir  Answers. 

With  me,  to  tenant  the  room  vacated  by  the  ex- 
ecuted, was  my  regular  room-mate,  John  Anderson ; 
and,  as  we  were  now  under  the  charge  of  the  sheriff 
of  the  district,  Mr.  Jarvis,  we  succeeded  in  obtaining 
a  privilege  we  had  not  before  enjoyed — that  of  see- 
ing our  friends,  or  any  clergyman.  This  was,  in 
some  measure,  a  relief  from  the  annoyance  of  the 
chancellor,  Mr.  Jamieson,  who  was  ever  particular 
in  the  exercise,  of  his  "little  brief  authority,"  like  the 
most  of  those  whom  the  people  denominated  "//ie 
bread  and  butter^*  officials  of  the  province.  Some 
few  days  having  elapsed  since  our  removal,  Sheriff 
Jarvis,  and  James  E.  Small,  Esq. — one  of  those  le- 
gal gentlemen  who  had  asked  the  permission  of  the 


^i>~ 


he  could 
o-patriots 
aving  his 
Hng  them 
s  taken,  a 

but,  not 
ers.  His 
le  saw  it 
he  made 
jel,  plead 
ibuted  to 

He  was 
soldier  in 
[emeaned 
eared  not 


Ainswers. 

the  ex- 
nderson ; 
sheriff 
►btaining 
t  of  see- 
was,  in 
3  of  the 
articular 
like  the 
ed  "Me 
Some 
Sheriff 
hose  le- 
1  of  the 


239 

chief  justice  to  aid  me  in  my  trial — advised  my 
writing  a  petition  to  the  queen,  and  to  enclose  it  in 
one  to  Sir  George  Arthur,  requesting  him  to  trans- 
mit it  to  the  home  government,  and  to  respite  my 
sentence,  until  such  time  as  an  answer  could  be  ob- 
tained. On  this  suggestion,  I  addressed  a  petition 
to  the  queen,  a  copy  of  which  I  here  insert,  together 
with  the  letter  accompanying  it,  to  Governor  Ar- 
thur. I  did  not  do  this,  however,  without  reflection. 
My  advisers  had  advanced  good  and  sufficient  rea- 
sons to  warrant  such  a  step,  without  its  making  me 
liable  to  the  scoffs  and  sneers  of  the  villain,  through 
whom  alone  a  petition  from  me  could  reach  the 
throne.  The  argument,  that  if  the  government,  by 
its  functionaries  on  the  bench,  would  force  me  to 
be  a  subject  under  their  laws,  that  I,  as  such  subject, 
was  entitled  to  demand  this  service  from  the  hands 
of  the  governor ;  that  it  was  his  business,  his  sworn 
duty  to  the  home  government,  to  receive,  and  forth- 
with to  transmit,  the  complaints  and  grievances  of 
all  her  majesty's  subjects,  which  might  be  couched 
in  respectful  language,  overcame  my  objections  to 
hold  converse  with  the  wretch,  and  convinced  me 
that  he  dare  not  refuse  my  request : — 

Prison  of  Toronto,  April  16,  1838. 

May  it  please  your  excellency. 

The  undersigned,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States, 
now  under  sentence  of  death,  for  the  alleged  crime 
of  high  treason,  respectfully  asks  you  to  interpose 
your  authority,  to  stay  the  execution  of  the  law,  un 
til  such  time  as  an  answer  could  be  obtained  from 
your  sovereign,  to  the  enclosed  open  petition,  which 
he  sends  to  you  for  the  purpose  of  having  it  trans- 
mitted to  the  English  government. 

Your  excellency  will  please  to  take  into  considera- 
tion, that  as  a  citizen  of  a  free  and  independent  re- 
public, having  forsworn,  agreeably  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  that  republic,  all  allegiance  that  he  might  have 


J 


»    f !     '5: 


ii  ^  n 


ii 


1 

J 

1 

r 

i 

240 

held  to  any  prince,  power,  or  potentate ;  and  parti- 
cularly to  that  sovereign  in  whose  dominions  he 
was  born,  he  could  not  iniagine  that  he  could  be  tried 
for  a  crime  which  none  but  a  subject  owing  alle- 
giance could  be  guilty  of;  and,  also,  the  undecided 
and  conditional  verdict  of  the  jury  which  tried  him, 
will,  he  hopes,  be  sufficient  reasons  to  induce  your 
excellency  to  accede  to  his  request. 

With  respect,  he  begs  leave  to  subscribe  himself. 
Your  excellency's  most  obedient, 

E.  A.  Theller. 

To  her  most  gracious  majesty,  Victoria,  by  the  grace 
of  God,  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  Queen,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  &c. 

The  petiiion  of  E.  A.  Theller,  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  now  a  prisoner  in  the 
prison  of  the  home  district,  in  the  province  of  Upper 
Canada,  respectfully  showeth : 

That  your  majesty's  petitioner  was,  as  he  has  been 
informed  and  believes,  born  in  that  part  of  your  ma- 
jesty's kingdom  called  Ireland ;  that  at  an  early  age 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided ;  that  at  the  usual  time,  and  in  the  usual  man- 
ner prescribed  by  the  constitution  of  the  said  United 
States,  he  abjured  all  allegiance  he  ever  held,  or 
might  hold,  to  any  power,  prince,  or  potentate  ;  and 
particularly  to  the  king  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland ; 
that  within  the  time  prescribed  by  the  said  constitu- 
tion, after  having  made  the  said  abjuration,  and  in 
taking  the  oath  to  support  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  he  was  admitted  and  enrolled  a  citizen, 
according  to  law,  which  was  admitted  hy  your  ma- 
jesty^ s  attorney -general^  on  your  petitioner^  s  trial; 
that  since  the  time  of  his  becoming  a  citizen  of  the 
said  United  States,  he  has  always  resided  there, 
although  he  has  been  several  times  since  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Lower  Canada ;  yet  he  never  was  domiciled 
therein,  but  having  been  married  there,  and  having 


ate ;  and  parti- 
dominions  he 
B  could  be  tried 
ct  owing  alle- 
the  undecided 
hich  tried  him, 
0  induce  your 

cribe  himself, 

jedient, 

i.  Theller. 

a,  by  the  grace 

Great  Britain 

;  Faith,  &c.  &c. 

citizen  of  the 
irisoner  in  the 
nnce  of  Upper 

as  he  has  been 

rt  of  your  ma- 

t  an  early  age 

has  since  re- 

le  usual  man- 

le  said  United 

ever  held,  or 

otentate ;  and 

and  Ireland ; 

said  constitu- 

ration,  and  in 

ution  of  the 

3lled  a  citizen, 

bt/  your  ma- 

ioner^s  trial; 

citizen  of  the 

esided  there, 

ze  in  the  pro- 

.vas  domiciled 

,  and  having 


241 

business  connected  with  claims  that  his  wife  held  on 
property,  had  obliged  him  to  visit  there  frequently, 
some  years  ago. 

That  your  petitioner,  in  January  last,  resided  with 
his  family,  in  the  city  of  Detroit,  in  the  state  of  Mi- 
chigan, ore  of  the  said  United  States.  That  during 
that  period  a  great  excitement  was  created  in  the 
said  city  of  Detroit,  in  favour  of  a  vast  number  of 
persons,  called  Canadian  refugees,  whose  statements 
of  the  horrid  cruelties  inflicted  upon  them,  and  the 
tyrannical  abuse  which  they  suffered  from  the  local 
authorities  in.your  majesty's  province  of  Upper  Ca- 
nada ;  and  in  consequence  of  the  insult  offered  to  his 
country's  flag,  and  the  murder  of  his  fellow-citizens 
on  board  of  the  steamboat  Caroline,  your  petitioner 
was  induced  to  give  his  aid  to  what  he  considered 
an  i>p  "essed  and  suffering  people,  and  in  a  good,  a 
holy      .    a  virtuous  cause. 

Tj  .:.  an  the  8th  day  of  January  last,  he  left  his 
home,  and  embarked;  with  many  others,  in  an  Ame- 
rican schooner,  called  the  "  Ann,"  of  Detroit,  to  go 
to  an  American  island  in  the  river.  That  whilst 
passing  the  town  of  Amherstburgh,  in  the  regular 
channel,  common  to  both  nations,  he  was  fired  upon 
by  your  majesty's  troops,  without  any  provocation, 
and  after  many  of  those  on  board  were  wounded,  he 
returned  the  fire,  and  fought  in  self-defence.  In  the 
course  of  the  conflict,  the  vessel  was  disabled,  and, 
owing  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and  the  con- 
tinued firing,  he  was  driven  on  shore,  and  made  pri- 
soner, with  the  rest  of  the  persons  on  board — there 
being  in  all  twenty-one  men,  two  of  whom  were 
killed,  and  six  desperately  wounded. 

That  your  petitioner  has  been  sent  from  the  west- 
ern district  to  that  of  the  London,  and  from  thence 
to  where  he  is  now  confined,  in  the  home  district ; 
and  has  been  treated  in  a  manner  the  most  brutal 
and  unjustifiable.  That  he  has  been  subsequently 
tried  for  high  treason,  as  being  a  British  born  sub- 

21 


I. 

1} 


i    5 


i  ! 


'f  i'N 


i:\ 


i.  I 


W 


W     I 


242 

ject ;  and,  although  solemnly  protesting  against  the 
power  of  the  colonial  authorities,  under  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, and  claiming  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  an  American  citizen,  as  recognised  by  the  laws  of 
nations,  he  has  been  convicted  on  a  conditional  ver- 
dict of  the  jury  by  which  he  was  tried,  and  sentenced 
to  death.  That  the  jury  in  rendering  their  verdict, 
declared  that  they  found  your  petitioner,  if  a  subject, 
guilty  of  treason,  according  to  the  law  as  laid  down 
by  his  lordship,  the  chief-justice,  who  tried  the  case, 
which  was,  once  a  British  subject,  always  a  British 
subject. 

Against  the  arbitrary  and  unjust  law  under  which 
a  colonial  court  have  condemned  to  death  your  ma- 
jesty's petitioner,  a  citizen  of  the  independent  re- 
public of  the  United  States,  he,  before  the  world,  most 
solemnly  protests,  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  Because  man,  as  a  free  agent,  has  a  right  to  do- 
micile himself  in  any  country  in  the  world  to  which 
he  fancies  it  his  advantage  to  emigrate,  so  long  as  he 
consents  to  observe  and  respect  the  laws  of  that  coun- 
try which  he  may  select  to  reside  in. 

2.  That  if,  after  having  become  a  member  of  a 
community  other  than  that  in  which  he  happened  to 
be  born,  he  finds  it  to  his  advantage  to  incorporate 
himself  with  that  community  for  mutual  protection, 

THERE  IS  NO  DIVINE  NOR    UNIVERSALLY    RECOGNISED 

HUMAN  LAW  WHICH  FORBIDS  HIM ;  and  that,  therefore, 
he  has  a  perfect  and  inherent  right  to  become  a  citizen 
of  the  country  so  selected,  for  his  own  protection, 
benefit,  and  advantage. 

3.  That  having,  at  the  years  of  discretion,  selected 
to  become  a  member  of  the  body  politic  of  the  United 
States  of  America ;  and  having  taken  the  necessary 
oaths  of  allegiance  to  that  country — a  country  in 
which  he  resided,  and  to  whose  laws  he  is  amena- 
ble, he  cannot  be  held  to  owe  fealty  or  allegiance  to 
any  other  power,  particularly  to  one  to  which  he  had 
never  bound  himself  by  any  compact  or  oath,  and 


243 

whose  only  claim  to  his  submission  is  grounded  upon 
the  arbitrary  dictum,  promulgated  one  hundred  years 
ago  as  law,  of  "once  a  subject  always  a  subject ;"  and 
to  which  the  common  consent  of  mankind  has  never 
been  conceded. 

4.  Because,  should  it  be  admitted  that  he  is  legally 
condemned,  then  at  least  one-fourth  of  the  popula- 
tion of  the  independent  republic  of  the  United  States 
are  owing  an  allegiarice  to  two  separate  and  inde- 
pendent governments,  incompatible  with  the  duties 
due  to  each,  and  liable  to  be  punished  for  a  breach 
of  either. 

5.  Because  Great  Britain  herself  has  recognised 
the  principle  contended  for,  at  least  tacitly; — first, 
by  acknowledging  the  independence  of  the  United 
States ;  and  secondly,  by  not  trying  for  high  treason, 
and  executing  as  traitors,  all  the  American  soldiers 
and  militia  taken  prisoners  at  the  surrender  of  Hull, 
during  the  last  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  who  happened  to  be  born  in  her  do- 
minions. 

6.  That  although  in  the  case  of  Eneas  McDonald 
— the  precedent  quoted  on  the  trial  of  your  petitioner, 
— as  reported  by  Mr.  Justice  Forster,  which  took 
place  in  1747,  after  the  invasion  of  England  by 
Prince  Charles  Edward,  or,  as  he  was  called,  the 
Pretender,  the  doctrine  of  perpetual  allegiance  was 
insisted  upon,  yet  the  crown  did  not  deem  it  expe- 
dient nor  politic  to  carry  the  sentence  of  the  law  in- 
to execution,  although  it  did  not  appear,  as  in  the 
case  of  your  petitioner,  that  Mr.  McDonald  had  ever 
sworn  allegiance  to  France,  nor  n,bjured  or  re- 
nounced his  natural  allegiance  to  the  power  in 
whose  dominions  he  was  born. 

Under  protest,  for  the  above  reasons,  your  majes- 
ty's petitioner  prays  your  royal  consideration  of  his 
case,  and  as  he  freely  admits  that  he  has  been  guilty 
of  a  breach  of  the  laws  of  his  own  country,  in  re- 
spect of  both  countries  being  at  peace,  for  which  of- 


f  ■ 


\    . 
,♦  * 


% 


'    f; 

•'IS.  '■' 


.<»! 


* 

1 

\i 


1 1 


•!^^ 


'   ;  ■ 


i 


244 

fence  he  is  ready  and  willing  to  answer;  and  as  his 
execution  for  higli  treason  against  your  majesty  must 
necessarily  involve  the  dearest  rights  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  of  the  United  States — therefore  he  prays 
your  majesty  that  he  may  be  delivered  up  to  the  au- 
thorities of  his  own  country,  to  be  dealt  with  accord- 
ing to  law. 

And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever 
pray,  &c.  &c.  &.e. 


Mr.  Sheriff  Jarvis  kindly  volunteered  to  be  the 
bearer  of  my  letter  to  the  governor,  with  the  petition 
enclosed,  and  delivered  it  in  person,  with  some  re- 
marks, communicating  the  general  feeling  on  the 
subject  as  manifested,  particularly  amongst  the  Irish 
residents  of  the  province,  who  were,  in  fact,  the  most 
effective  and  the  most  numerous  of  their  armed  force. 
His  excellency  promised  to  read  it  attentively,  and  to 
lay  the  matter  before  his  council,  and  give  an  answer 
in  due  time.  For  three  or  four  days  there  was  no 
answer  that  could  be  considered  as  definite,  but  that 
the  council  were  in  session  discussing  the  matter.  This 
to  me  was  a  good  omen,  for  although  I  expected  no- 
thing from  their  justice,  there  was  foundation  for 
hopes  from  their  fears.  One  of  their  number,  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Draper,  was  absent  in  the  London  district, 
in  his  official  capacity  attending  the  trials  there,  and 
there  were  but  four  left ;  two,  as  I  was  informed,  in 
favour,  and  two  against :  one  of  them,  Allen,  or  Bil- 
ly Allen,  as  he  was  called,  a  bloodthirsty  old  Scotch- 
man, who  had  been  so  frightened  during  the  last  war 
with  the  Americans,  that  he  could  never  after  bear 
to  hear  the  name  of  the  country  mentioned,  was  de- 
cidedly for  hanging  and  quartering,  and  could  not  be 
persuaded  to  yield  a  jot.  The  governor,  of  course, 
under  these  circr  stances  had  the  casting  vote,  but 
did  not  for  some  ys  exercise  it.  On  Friday,  the 
twentieth,  the  sb  tiS^  came  into  our  room  and  in- 


*  ■  ■ 


!( 


er;  and  as  Iiis 
r  majesty  must 
I  of  his  fellow- 
fore  he  prays 
i  up  to  the  au- 
It  with  accord- 

und,  will  ever 


red  to  be  the 
th  the  petition 
vith  soire  re- 
seling  on  the 
>ngst  the  Irish 
fact,  the  most 
ir  ar^ed  force, 
ntively,  and  to 
;ive  an  answer 
there  was  no 
finite,  but  that 
e  matter.  This 
'  expected  no- 
Dundation  for 
•  number,  the 
ondon  district, 
als  there,  and 
s  informed,  in 
Allen,  or  Bil- 
y  old  Scotch- 
g  the  last  war 
ver  after  bear 
)ned,  was  de- 
could  not  be 
or,  of  course, 
ing  vote,  but 
1  Friday,  the 
:oora  and  in- 


245 

formed  my  comrade,  Mr.  Anderson,  that  he  was  re- 
spited, as  well  as  Messrs.  Montgomery  and  Morden ; 
but  when  I  asked  him  if  he  had  any  information  for 
me,  he  gravely  shook  his  head,  and  for  a  few  mi- 
nutes appeared  overcome  with  emotion,  until  tears 
came  to  his  relief,  when  he  informed  me  that  he  had 
no  answer  from  my  petition,  but  from  the  circum- 
stance of  the  other  three  being  respited  for  forty  days, 
he  feared  the  worst :  that  the  governor  r  in  d  to  in- 
terfere, and  that  from  what  he  had  seen  and  heard, 
he  had  no  hope.  He  then  begged  me  to  be  prepared, 
for  my  fate  was  inevitable.  This  amiable  man 
was  a  strong  tory,  but  the  feelings  he  then  exhibited, 
and  his  untiring  efforts  afterwards  to  save  me,  can 
never  be  erased  from  my  memory.  I  answered  him 
then,  that  I  was  prepared  for  any  thing,  come  when 
it  might,  and  that  for  his  efforts  in  my  behalf,  and 
his  kind  sympathy  for  me  I  felt  grateful,  and  should 
so  feel  to  my  dying  hour,  but  that  I  could  not  nor 
would  not  give  up  all  hope  until  the  last  moment. 
He  then  left  me  to  my  reflections,  but  left  me  only 
to  renew  his  exertions  in  my  behalf. 

There  were  other  friends,  who  were  equally  active, 
and  who  were  making  other  arrangements,  but  as 
they  are  still  there,  and  the  country  still  in  the  hands 
of  the  despots,  prudence  and  the  fear  of  injuring 
them  forbid  my  mentioning  them  by  name.  Let  it 
suffice  that  I  was  determined  that  they  should  never 
have  the  satisfaction  of  gloating  over  my  corpse,  sus- 
pended by  the  neck.  If  all  else  failed,  I  knew  that 
the  guard  around  the  scaffold  would  be  my  native 
countrymen,  and  from  the  scaffold  I  should  have,  as 
is  customary,  the  liberty  of  addressing  them.  I 
would  there  have  told  them  that  it  was  for  an  at- 
tempt to  aid  them  in  obtaining  the  liberty  of  their 
country,  that  they  saw  me  upon  the  scaffold ;  that  it 
was  for  that  liberty  I  had  fought,  and  for  that  liberty 
I  would  die.  Then  springing  into  the  midst  of  them, 
have  told  them  they  might  bayonet  or  kill  me  as  a 

21* 


/ 


24G 

man,  but  that  they  should  never  hang  nie  Hke  a  dog. 
Desperate  as  the  reader  may  think  the  attempt 
would  have  proved,  yet  from  what  I  then  knew,  and 
what  I  now  know,  there  was  a  chance,  however 
desperate,  of  success.  My  arms  would  have  been 
pinioned,  but  by  the  nse  of  a  small  penknife  put 
into  my  hands  by  a  friend,  I  could  have  cut  the  cords, 
and  being  alone  with  th«^heriff  and  clergyman,  a 
sudden  movement  would  have  made  me  master  of 
the  sheriff's  sword,  and  a  leap  have  thrown  me 
among  the  guards,  many  of  whom  I  knew  would 
sacrifice  their  lives  to  save  me.  I  knew  their  hearts 
— ^Imew  they  were  Irish  hearts,  and  knew  the  effect 
of  such  a  movement  upon  their  feelings.  I  knew, 
too,  they  were  discontented,  and  at  heart  as  bitter 
foes  to  the  accursed  power  which  had  enslave''  jir 
own  country,  as  I  was,  and  that  like  unto  smoulder- 
ing embers,  the  slightest  breeze  would  fan  those  feel- 
ings into  a  flame.  As  a  dernier  resort,  when  all  else 
should  have  failed,  I  would  have  tried  the  experi- 
ment ;  and  even  if  I  failed,  my  friends  would  have 
had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  I  did  not  die 
without  a  last  effort  to  effect  my  liberty.  It  would 
have  had  the  effect,  too,  of  lighting  the  torch  of  dis- 
cord, and  of  turning  their  bayonets  upon  each  other, 
and  given  a  new  impetus  to  the  ball  of  revolution, 
which  must  roll  on  till  the  despots  are  crushed. 

However,  I  had  no  occasion  to  try  my  last  resort. 
Another  fate  awaited  me.  On  Saturday  the  civic 
officers  of  the  city  were  sent  as  a  deputation,  by  the 
citizens,  to  wait  on  his  excellency,  and  to  beg  of  him, 
as  a  favour  to  them, that,  to  gratify  the  feelings  of  the 
Irish,  he  should  respite  my  sentence.  The  governor 
received  them  kindly,  and  as  one  of  their  nuriiber. 
Dr.  King,  an  alderman,  and  an  Irishman  too,  inform- 
ed me,  he  graciously  condescended  to  hear  all  their 
remarks,  thanked  them  individually  and  collectively 
for  their  loyalty  and  their  zeal,  remarking  that 
nothing  could  afford  him  more  pleasm'e  than  to  afford 


me  like  a  dog. 
:  the  attempt 
len  knew,  and 
ince,  however 
Id  have  been 
penknife  put 
3  cut  the  cords, 
clergyman,  a 
me  master  of 
J  thrown  me 
knew  would 
w  their  hearts 
lew  the  eflfect 
gs.     I  knew, 
3art  as  bitter 
enslave''      jir 
nto  smouider- 
fan  those  feel- 
when  all  else 
1  the  experi- 
s  would  have 
I  did  not  die 
y.     It  would 
I  torch  of  dis- 
•n  each  other, 
of  revolution, 
crushed, 
ly  last  resort, 
ilay  the  civic 
Nation,  by  the 

0  beg  of  him, 
eelingsof  the 
rhe  governor 
leir  number, 

1  too,  inform- 
lear  all  their 
i  collectively 
larking  that 
han  to  afford 


247 

them  a  gratification  if  in  his  power;  but  his  duty  to 
his  sovereign  forbade  him  to  interfere  with  the  due 
course  of  the  law.  "  He  entered  into  the  discussion 
at  some  length,''  said  the  doctor,  who  was  the 
speaking  member  of  the  deputation,  "  reasoned  calm- 
ly, and,  in  fact,  I  must  say,  that  after  having  heard 
his  reasons,  I  became  perfectly  satisfied,  that  accord- 
ing to  his  instructions,  and  for  the  safety  of  the  pro- 
vince, he  could  not  do  otherwise  than  let  the  execu- 
tion go  on."  I  thought  Sir  George  must  have  had 
a  very  powerful  or  persuasive  way  of  reasoning, 
but  remarked,  that  being  a  party  somewhat  interested 
in  the  affair,  I  might  not  be  so  readily  convinced  of 
the  absolute  necessity  of  being  hanged  for  their  con- 
venience and  safety,  which  I  could  not  think  so  very 
great  as  to  require  such  a  sacrifice  on  my  part :  how- 
ever, it  was  folly  to  argue  the  matter  with  such  an 
inflated  piece  of  pompous  aristocracy  as  my  pedantic 
friend :  and  so,  we  parted,  he  very  kindly  taking  me 
by  the  hand,  squeezing  it  affectionately,  and  declar- 
mg  that  any  thing  he  could  do  for  me  after  my  exe- 
cution, should  be  done ;  that  I  might  depend  upon 
his  friendship ;  no  insult  should  be  offered  to  my  re- 
mains ;  he  would  have  me  interred  in  his  own  family 
burial-place,  in  the  Catholic  burying-ground.  I 
asked  him,  as  he  was  one  of  the  surgeons  to  whom 
my  body  was  to  be  given  for  dissection,  if  he  could 
not  give  it  to  my  friends.  For  myself,  I  said,  that 
I  had  been  too  long  a  physician  to  have  many  scru- 
ples about  dissection,  but  that  I  knew  my  wife  had 
a  horror  of  it,  and  that  it  would  be  a  gratification  to 
her  and  my  children  to  have  it  conveyed  to  them ; 
but  if  he  could  not  do  that,  he  would  favour  me  by 
opening  the  body,  taking  out  the  heart,  and  placing 
it  in  the  keeping  of  a  gentleman,  whom  I  named,  and 
who  had  promised  me  to  deposit  it  in  an  urn,  and 
see  that  it  was  conveyed  to  Detroit.  Here  the  doc- 
tor gravely  shook  his  head,  remarking  that  he  was 
confident  it  would  not  be  allowed,  as  his  excellency 


•it   a 


;!i    '     I 


It' 
% 


8^ 

1?  ! 


t   ^ 


I 


248 

would  imagine  it  might  occasion  an  excitement  in  the 
United  States ;  bul  assured  me  he  would  have  me 
dressed  and  laid  in  a  decent  coffin,  and  see  me 
quietly  and  decently  interred  by  my  countrymen. 
For  all  which  I,  of  course,  was  most  thankful;  but 
not  wishing  to  trespass  upon  his  time  and  his  polite- 
ness, I  expressed  to  him  my  gratitude,  and  requested 
him  not  to  trouble  himself;  that  when  hanged  his 
lust  and  humane  government  might  bury  me  or  not, 
as  they  saw  fit,  for  it  would  then  be  a  matter  of  per- 
fect indifference  to  me. 

Another  alderman,  whose  name  was  Dickson,  I 
think  a  saddler,  and  master  of  one  of  the  Orange  lodges, 
came  and  begged  my  forgiveness  for  the  insult  he  had 
offered  me  the  day  I  entered  the  prison.  He  was 
the  person  who  had  expressed  the  wish  that  I  might 
never  come  out  until  the  morning  when  I  should  be 
executed.  He  said  he  felt  sorry  for  what  he  had  said, 
and  that  he  had  done  all  he  could  to  atone  for  it,  by 
making  intercession  for  me ;  that  he  Would  still  try 
to  aid  me,  and  leave  nothing  undone  that  might  aid 
him  in  accomplishing  his  object.  This  man  was 
true  to  his  word.  I  afterwards  learned  that  he  was 
indefatigable  in  his  exertions,  and,  Orangeman  as  he 
was,  I  can  say  with  gratitude  to  him  and  others,  ad- 
vocates of  that,  to  me  loathing  system,  that  they  for- 
got every  difference,  political  and  religious,  and 
looked  upon  me  only  as  their  countryman,  and  with 
such  feeling  they  joined  their  Catholic  countrymen 
to  save  my  life.  Wojild  to  God  it  could  ever  be 
thus,  that  there  could  be  union  of  sentirnent  and  in- 
terest, and  that  they  would  be  no  longer  the  dupes 
of  designing  knaves,  who  keep  them  at  variance,  that 
they  may  rule  and  rid  3  over  their  necks  with  cars 
and  chariot  wheels  of  their  own  creation. 

The  reader  may  imagine  how  very  agreeable  it 
must  have  been,  to  be  constantly  annoyed  with  such 
encouraging  visiters  as  my  affectionate  friend.  Dr. 
King,  to  have  them  constantly  warning  me  by  state- 


;  r 


ement  in  the 
lid  have  me 
and  see  me 
countrymen, 
hankful;  but 
nd  his  polite- 
md  requested 
1  hanged  his 
ry  me  or  not, 
natter  of  per- 
is Dickson,  I 
►range  lodges, 
insult  he  had 
on.     He  was 
I  that  I  might 
n  I  should  be 
it  he  had  said, 
tone  for  it,  by 
/ould  still  try 
lat  might  aid 
lis  man  was 
I  that  he  was 
ngeman  as  he 
nd  others,  ad- 
that  they  for- 
eligious,  and 
lan,  and  with 
countrymen 
ould  ever  be 
jrnent  and  in- 
jer  the  dupes 
vrariance,  that 
3ks  with  cars 
3n. 


agreeable 


it 


red  with  such 
:e  friend.  Dr. 
f  me  by  state- 


249 

ments  of  the  utter  hopelessness  of  my  situation,  and 
hypocritical  prayers  for  the  salvation  of  iny  soul, 
conjuring  me,  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  to  make  prepa- 
rations for  the  awful  hour  when  I  was  to  appear  be- 
fore the  bar  of  my  Creator,  and  all  but  weeping  over 
my  stubborn,  restless,  and  rebellious  heart,  for  daring 
to  hope  for  a  short  respite  in  this  world,  or  reposing 
confidence  in  the  Being  who  controlled  my  destiny. 
However,  there  was  here  and  there  a  glimmer  of 
sunshine,  and  occasionally  an  educated,  liberal-mind- 
ed, noble-souled  fellow,  who  could  bid  me  be  cheer- 
ful, indulge  in  the  bJter  feelings  of  our  nature,  and 
be  satisfied  that  "  sufficient  for  the  day  is  the  evil 
thereof;  let  to-morrow  take  care  of  itself*  Amongst 
this  latter  class  I  remember  the  frank,  open-hearted 
countenance  of  a  young  barrister,  by  the  name  of 
McCulloch,  who  was  a  tory  and  an  Orangeman. 
How,  with  his  liberal  nature  and  rich  intellect,he  could 
be  either,  puzzled  me ;  and  who  could  boldly  rebuke 
the  canting  knaves  and  chicken-hearted  friends, 
swearing  that  "  whilst  there  was  life  there  was  al- 
ways hope :"  and  in  my  case  he  had  witnessed  near- 
ly aJJ  and  every  movement  since  my  removal  to  To- 
ronto ;  was  convinced  that  there  was  no  downright 
and  positive  necessity  of  resorting  to  utter  and  hope- 
less despair,  but  on  the  contrary  something  was  be- 
ing done,  and  he  lending  a  helping  hand ;  that  he 
would  do  so  for  any  man  who  thus  braved  his  fate, 
and  refused  to  disgrace  his  name  by  cowering  to  his 
oppressors,  or  exhibiting  the  weakness  of  a  child  by 
being  frightened  at  the  approach  of  that  which  must 
sooner  or  later  overtake  us,  and  put  a  period  to  our 
mortal  career. 

My  fellow-sufferer  and  room-mate,  Jolin  Ander- 
son, who  had  been  respited  only  for  forty  days,  did 
not  in  the  least  seem  satisfied  with  his  excellency's 
mercy  towards  him.  It  was  told  him,  that  his  re- 
spite from  death  was  only  a  change  from  that  to  per- 
petual transportation  in  Van  Diemen's  Land — a  cir- 


'•  I 


t 


t\\ 


1 1('^  ^« 


r 


\         i 


250 

cumstance  no  way  gratifying  to  John.  He  insisted, 
that  ho  would  rather  be  hanged  than  transported — 
his  property,  which  was  of  great  value,  confiscated ; 

J  and  his  wife  and  children  left  destitute — he  to  live, 
and  chew  the  bitter  cud  of  reflection  at  the  recollec- 
tion of  their  miseries.  He  reasoned,  I  thought,  with 
truth,  that  the  suffering  would  be  greater  in  banish- 
ment, than  in  immediate  death ;  and,  when  he  per- 
,  sisted  in  insisting  upon  having  the  original  sentence 
carried  into  effect,  rather  than  accept  the  modifica- 
!    tion,  ticklish  as  was  our  situation,  I  could  not  but 

V  laugh  at  the  philosophy  with  which  he  reasoned  out 
his  right  to  the  prerogative :  and  many  is  the  hearty 
laugh  I  have  since  enjoyed,  as  I  have  fancied  him, 
with  countenance  flushed  with  indignation  and 
pride,  comparing  the  relative  difference  of  dying 
upon  the  scaffold,  which  he  appeared  to  think  ho- 
nourable under  the  circumstances,  and  the  mere 
work  of  a  moment ;  and  the  dishonour  of  dragging 
out  a  miserable  existence,  like  a  common  felon,  in  a 
foreign  land  of  ignominy,  with  his  children  stamped 
with  disgrace  and  infamy  at  home.  But,  after  a 
course  of  sober  reasoning  with  him,  on  the  pgfft  of 
Mrs.  Anderson,  the  sheriff,  and  myself,  he  gave  up, 
and  consented  to  meet  his  fate  with  becoming  forti- 
tude. Poor  John,  with  all  his  singular  ideas,  was  a 
truer  patriot  than  can  easily  be  found  in  all  Canada ; 
and  I  may  say,  with  truth,  so  far  as  my  knowledge 
enabled  me  to  judge,  that  a  better-hearted  and  more 
honourable  man  never  lived. 

It  may  seem  strange,  that  two  men,  thus  situated, 
could  actually  indulge  in  repartee,  and  enjoy  a  good 
joke,  or  amuse  themselves  with  the  heartless  badi- 
nage of  an  ignorant  and  brutal  soldiery,  in  parlance 
with  the  Jack-Ketches,  hovering  like  vultures  about 
our  prison.  Nevertheless,  at  times,  I  must  confess, 
they  were  irresistible.  Peter,  the  hangman  of  our 
friends  Lount  and  Matthews,  was,  as  Boz  would 
say,  a  character — young,  brutal,  and  beastly ;  and  a 


251 

fit  subject  for  tho  mirth,  kicks,  ciifTs,  jibes,  and  jeers 
of  the  guards,  as  well  us  a  plaything  for  the  boys 
and  loafers  to  drag  the  gutter  withal.  Peter  was  a 
decidedly  rich,  as  well  as  truly  loyal  subject,  after 
receiving  !iis  i^aOO,  and  used  to  walk  about  tho 
prison,  chuckling  at  the  prospect  of  the  iS400  lie  had 
bargained  for,  to  release  myself  and  associates — 
Montgomery, Morden,  and  Anderson — from  the  trou- 
ble of  breathing ;  and  then  going  to  the  pot-liouse, 
getting  drunk,  and  winding  up  his  day's  speculations, 
by  being  locked  up  in  one  of  the  cells.  The  respite, 
however,  of  my  three  friends,  was  a  sour  e  of  atliic- 
tion  to  him,  which  was  only  relieved  by  the  guards 
and  vicious  idlers  pointing  to  my  window,  where  T 
would  be  sitting,  to  obtain  the  luxury  of  a  little  frr  h 
air,  and  telling  him  there  was  one  left ;  he  would 
get  another  hundred ;  and  that,  as  my  clothes  would 
fit  him  snugly,  he  wouldn't  do  so  bad  after  a'!- 
that  it  was  a  fine  uniform  I  wore ;  and  that,  on  i!  lak 
ing  his  appearance  in  the  city,  after  the  fete,  he 
would  be  metamorphosed,  from  a  common,  drunken 
loafer,  into  a  general.  But  poor  Pete,  as  some  of 
my  countrymen  remarked,  "  waked  up  one  morning 
after  breakfast,  and  found  himself  fust  at  the  botlom 
of  the  river  Credit,  with  a  halter  around  his  own 
neck,  and  a  stone  fast  to  it.'*  His  ^^^5200  had  created 
envy  and  jealousy  with  the  fraternity,  and  done  for 
him.  Pete's  successor  was  a  lubberly,  drunken, 
good-for-nothing  man-o'-war's-maUj  distinguished 
by  the  name  of  Jack,  who  was  a  so:  i  inmate  of 
the  prison,  rendering  here  and  there  some  trifling 
service  to  us,  to  obtain  change  to  lay  in  his  grog ; 
and  proving  a  source  of  infinite  amusement,  by  the 
hitch  of  his  unmentionables,  tlie  twist  of  his  immense 
quid  of  tobacco,  and  the  peculiar  manner  in  which 
he  would  eye  me,  as  ii  making  his  calculations  how 
best  to  adjust  the  rope.  And  I  never  shall  forget 
his  pompous  manner,  in  walking  back  and  forthwith 
the  sentinel,  in  front  of  my  window,  disputing  as  to 


f 


l^tt 


li , 

'i  i 

1 

I  ■■■ 
!    < 


Hi 


til! 


1;   ' 


252 

the  paraphernalia  of  adjusting  knots,  and  the  state 
of  pHability  of  the  cord  to  be  used.  "  I  am  decidedly 
of  opinion,"  said  the  sentinel,  "  that  the  rope  should 
be  well  soaped." 

Jack. — No:  I  see,  shipmate,  you  know  nothing 
about  the  business.  It  should  be  slushed :  d — ^n  your 
soap. 

Sentinel. — But,  Jack,  my  old  boy,  you  must  ad- 
mit I  have  seen  more  of  these  matters  than  you 
have ;  and,  as  you  say  you  want  to  do  the  thing 
up  genteelly,  d — n  my  eyes,  if  soap  isn't  the  thing. 

Jack. — Well,  now,  I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  I'll  leave 
it  to  the  general,  himself. 

With  this  exclamation.  Jack  made  another  hitch ; 
and,  with  a  knowing  look,  approached  the  window, 
explaining  his  troubles.  After  hearing  both  sides  of 
the  important  matter  imder  discussion,  I  gave  my 
decision  in  favour  of  Jack's  plan — saying,  he  was 
right ;  that  slush  was  the  proper  article  to  be  used 
on  the  occasion,  and  he  ought  to  be  permitted  to 
have  his  own  way. 

Jack. — Thank  your  honour.  Your  honour  shall 
be  hanged  just  as  you  please.  I  see  your  honour 
understands  these  matters ;  and,  d — n  my  eyes,  but 
it's  a  pleasure  to  do  business  for  such  a  gentleman  as 
your  honour.     Long  life  to  your  honour. 

Having  thus  delivered  himself,  Jack,  to  the  great 
amusement  of  the  negro  guards  of  her  majesty,  who 
lay  basking  in  the  sun,  but  h&.d  readily  detected  the 
bull  of  "  long  life,"  pulled  oft*  his  sailor  cap,  waved  it 
around  his  head,  and  with  the  usual  salutation  of  a 
sailor,  left  me  to  analyze  and  dissect  human'nature, 
according  to  Spurzheim,  my  own  limited  philosophi- 
cal and  phrenological  views,  or  amuse  myself  as  best 
suited  capri oe  or  humour. 


s,  and  the  state 
'  I  am  decidedly 
the  rope  should 

know  nothing 
hed:  d — ^nyour 

',  you  must  ad- 
itters  than  you 
,0  do  the  thing 
sn't  the  thing, 
at  it  is,  I'll  leave 

another  hitch; 
ed  the  window, 
ng  both  sides  of 
ion,  I  gave  my 
saying,  he  was 
tide  to  be  used 
30  permitted  to 

ur  honour  shall 
;e  your  honour 
-n  my  eyes,  but 
a  gentleman  as 
our. 

ck,  to  the  great 
r  majesty,  who 
ily  detected  the 
3r  cap,  waved  it 
salutation  of  a 
human'^nature, 
ited  philosophi- 
myself  as  best 


253 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

My  Respite. 

There  were  a  number  of  friends  who  had  been 
instrumental  in  getting  up  the  petition,  presented  by 
the  civic  officers  to  the  governor,  who  were  dissatis- 
fied with  the  manner  in  which  it  had  been  presented, 
the  persons  officiating  having  apparently  laboured 
under  fear  in  addressing  him,  or  urging  the  matter, 
lest  they  might  be  thought  disloyal,  or  esteemed 
indifferent  to  the  cause  ;  and  these  friends  thought 
that  another  petition,  written  in  still  more  urgent 
strain,  and  signed  by  the  greater  part  of  the  volun- 
teers, might  meet  with  more  attention.  And  what 
had  a  still  further  tendency  to  induce  them  to  this 
course,  was  a  remark  made  by  a  gentleman  to  an 
officer,  that  Sutherland  was  liberated  because  they 
dared  not  hang  an  American,  but  that  I,  being  an 
Irishman,  was  to  be  hanged  for  the  crime  of  being 
born  in  their  country. 

A  friend  had  given  me  the  names  of  a  number  of 
influential  Irishmen,  and  I  got  him  to  invite  them  to 
see  me  under  various  pretences.  As  they  were 
esteemed  loyal,  and  as  many  of  them  were  then  doing 
duty  and  under  arms  at  the  time,  and  some  of  them 
of  our  own  guard,  I  had  no  difficulty  frequently  of 
conversing  with  them  and  aiding  them  with  my  sug- 
gestions of  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued.  Their 
names  should  be  public  property,  but,  as  I  have 
remarked  in  another  chapter,  so  long  as  they  are 
under  the  ban  of  tyranny,  so  long  must  they  live  in 
my  memory  alone.  I  have  said  they  were  thought 
loyal,  but  they  were  not,  nor  did  I  meet  during  my 
stay  in  Canada,  with  but  two  Roman  Catholic  Irish- 
men who  were  loyal  or  wished  well  to  the  British 

28 


.  i.  1 

' 

If;   '       ' 

'  h  ;     ■ 

:  (■■■     f 

^' ''    ■ 

iii  1 

1    • 

IV^ 


254 

government.  They  indulged  at  heart  the  same 
feelings  I  openly  espoused^  and  acted  a  part  contrary 
to  their  nature,  because  life,  and  property,  and  the 
welfare  of  their  families  were  at  stake.  They  were 
suspected  and  watched  too  with  a  jealous  eye,  but 
their  numbers  were  so  great,  and  with  arms  in  their 
hands,  and  knowledge  of  their  use,  that  Sir  George 
Arthur  took  them,  or  pretended  to  take  them,  for 
what  they  seemed  to  be. 

Four  gentlemen,  who  were  influential  with  their 
countrymen,  were  hard  at  work ;  and,  on  the  Sun- 
day after  mass,  in  the  chapel-yard,  had  an  under- 
standing with  all  those  present;  and  they  became 
resolved  to  make  one  more  effort,  and,  to  use  their 
own  meaning  and  significant  language,  "  Give  Sir 
George  a  chance  :"  but,  if  he  failed  to  grant  the 
respite,  "  Bad  luck  to  us,  if  we  will  stand  by,  and 
see  him  hanged  for  the  crime  of  being  our  country- 
man. If  his  excellency  will  not  listen  to  reason,  we 
know  what  we  can,  and  what  we  will  do."  And  they 
did  know  what  they  could  and  would  do.  Every 
one  admitted  that  the  Irish  had  saved  the  province ; 
and  they  said,  a  sad  return  they  were  receiving  for 
their  services,  if  the  long-legged  humbug,  Suther- 
land, was  to  be  pardoned ;  who  was,  according  to 
their  version,  much  more  guilty,  and  my  superior 
officer.  If  such  things  were,  they  could  see  no  rea- 
son why  I  should  be  hanged ;  and,  what  was  better, 

they  would  be  d d  if  I  should  be.     When  they 

found  themselves  sufficiently  strong,  knowing  they 
could  repose  confidence  in  each  other,  such  language 
as  this  was  talked  openly  in  the  streets,  and  in  the 
guard-rooms ;  and  a  letter,  addressed  to  Sir  George 
Arthur,  signed,  "  »dn  Old  Soldier/*  was  printed,  dis- 
tributed, and  posted  about  the  town,  pointing  to  the 
illegality  of  the  sentence  passed  on  such  a  conditional 
verdict,  and  demanding  to  know  why  I  was  pursued 
with  such  rancour ;  whether  it  was  because  I  was 
born  in  Ireland ;  and,  if  so,  appealing  to  him,  whe- 


rt  the  same 
part  contrary 
;rty,  and  the 
They  were 
lous  eye,  but 
arms  in  their 
It  Sir  George 
ke  them,  for 

al  with  their 
on  the  Sun- 
id  an  undej- 
they  became 
,  to  use  their 
5,  "  Give  Sir 
to  grant  the 
land  by,  and 
our  country- 
to  reason,  we 
)."  And  they 

do.  Every 
he  province ; 
receiving  for 
bug,  Suther- 
according  to 
my  superior 
i  see  no  rea- 
,t  was  better, 

When  they 
nowing  they 
nch  language 

,  and  in  the 
1  Sir  George 
5  printed,  dis- 
inting  to  the 
a  conditional 
was  pursued 
jcause  I  was 
to  him,  whe- 


255 

ther  or  not,  h^  was  indebted  to  the  Irish  soldiers  for 
the  preservi  tic  i  of  the  province,  at  that  very  hour  : 
calling  upon  him  to  take  the  advice  of  an  "  old  sol- 
dier ;"  "  pardon,  and  send  the  unfortunate,  but  gene- 
rous stranger,  home  to  his  own  country :"  and  urg- 
ing the  better  influence  which  such  a  course  would 
have  upon  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
discontented  of  the  people  of  Canada,  as  well  as 
their  people  generally,  who  were  tired  of  blood.  A 
copy  of  this  handbill  was  to  be  found  in  the  hands 
of  every  Irish  soldier,  with  a  spare  one  for  a  com- 
rade. Who  was  the  author,  I  never  knew ;  but  I 
well  remember,  I  thought  it  was  written  by  a  mas- 
ter-hand, and  could  not  well  see  how  Sir  George 
could  evade  acting  upon  it. 

With  me,  in  the  prison,  things  remained  in  the 
same  state,  until  a  little  after  one  o'clock,  on  Mon- 
day; when  the  sherifl",  accompanied  by  some  offi- 
cers and  citizens,  entered  my  apartment,  and,  with  a 
melancholy  shake  of  his  head,  handed  me  a  letter 
from  the  governor  to  him,  as  sheriff  of  the  home  dis- 
trict. It  was,  in  fact,  what  they  termed  there  a 
death-warrant ;  but  was  only  an  official  letter,  say- 
ing, that  his  excellency  and  council,  having  taken 
into  consideration  the  prayer  of  the  prisoner's  peti- 
tion, could  see  no  good  reason  why  he  should  inter- 
fere with  the  due  course  of  the  law  ;  and  concluded, 
by  saying,  "  You  are  therefore  commanded  to  have 
the  sentence  of  the  law  carried  into  effect  on  the 
body  of  the  prisoner,  to-morrow  morning,  at  seven 
o'clock." 

"  He  means  that  I  should  take  it  coolly,  anyhow," 
I  remarked;  "it  is  rather  early,  but  so  much  the  bet- 
ter, I  can  take  it  fresh  and  fasting — "  but  observing 
that  my  levity  shocked  one  of  the  hypocritical,  cant- 
ing humbugs  belonging  to  the  church  dominant,  who 
had  entered  with  the  sheriff",  as  a  minister,  I  said  no 
more ;  but  shaking  hands  with  one  or  two  I  had 
known,  r  requested  the  sheriff  to  let  me  have  pen 


\  t 


''      '! 


'.rv  ^ 

1-  ^ 

^1  ^^IMm 

;i  V  , 


i 


l  ! 


li 


I' 


[if:" 


y 

n 
1 

,ll;l! 

! 

! 

»■ 

f 

\ 

1  ) 

ii 

li '  ( 

256 

and  paper,  that  I  might  write  to  my  family,  and 
make  some  Httle  arrangement  of  my  property,  and 
that,  as  my  time  was  short,  they  would  excuse  me 
for  wishing  them  good-bye. 

They  all  evidently  took  the  hint  but  the  parson,who 
begged  me  sincerely  to  leave  my  worldly  affairs  and 
attend  to  my  soul,  and  prepare  it  to  meet  its  Creator. 

"0,  think  how  important  your  soul's  salvation  is 
to  you !" 

"  Stranger,"  said  I,  looking  him  full  in  the  face, "  I 
will  not  deny  that  I  consider  the  safety  of  my  soul 
as  of  great  importance.  But  I  have  a  family,  and  I 
want  to  write  to  them  and  arrange  my  worldly  af- 
fairs— leave  them  the  little  property  that  remains  to 
me,  that  your  government  could  not  confiscate,  and 
then,  sir.  without  your  assistance,  or  any  of  your 
Pharisaical  tribe,  I  will  take  what  steps  I  may,  about 
preparing  both  soul  and  body  for  the  final  issue. 
Good  morning,  sir." 

"But,  my  dear  sir,  a  moment  think  of  eternity." 

"Jailer,  I  wish  to  be  alone." 

"0,  think  of  an  offended  God!"  and  thus  he 
went  on,  until  I  was  forced  to  make  demonstrations 
of  using  force  to  push  him  out.     He  was  taken  out. 

Seated  in  my  cell,  and  writing  my  last  wishes  to 
my  family  and  friends,  I  was  aroused  by  an  alarm, 
the  bells  ringing  and  the  drums  beating  to  arms. 
What  could  it  be  ?  could  there  be  any  truth  in  the 
report  that  had  been  circulated,  that  an  attempt 
would  be  made  by  the  patriots  to  land  and  rescue 
us,  or  was  it  like  the  other  rumours  that  had  been 
brought  to  us  every  day? 

Alarms  of  invasions  had  been  current  the  whole 
winter.  Every  day  had  brought  its  tale  of  wonders, 
and  although  the  soldiery  had  been  called  out  night 
after  night,  and  had  each  morning  been  deceived  by 
their  ridiculous  fears,  still  the  next  night  would  bring 
its  report,  and  meet  with  the  same  credence  as  its 
predecessor.     Some  one  on  the  look-out,  espying 


family,  and 

•operty,  and 

excuse  me 

parson,  who 
T  affairs  and 
;  its  Creator, 
salvation  is 

the  face, "  I 

of  my  soul 

imily,  and  I 

worldly  af- 

t  remains  to 

ifiscate,  and 

my  of  your 

may,  about 

final  issue. 

'  eternity." 

id  thus  he 
aonstrations 
s  taken  out. 
5t  wishes  to 
jr  an  alarm, 
ig  to  arms, 
truth  in  the 
an  attempt 
and  rescue 
had  been 

t  the  whole 
of  wonders, 
d  out  night 
ieceived  by 
vould  bring 
ence  as  its 
lit,  espying 


257 

some  object  on  the  lake,  which  looked  like  a  vessel, 
would  give  the  alarm ;  the  drums  would  beat ;  the 
alarm-bell  ring ;  the  soldiers  scamper  to  their  posts, 
all  creating  a  din  that  would  have  awakened  the 
seven  sleepers,  had  they  been  in  Toronto.  The  ladies 
of  that  city  had  certainly  that  winter  become  used  to 
"war's  stecn  alarms ;"  for  not  a  boat  of  the  smallest 
size,  or  even  a  canoe  could  appear,  but  the  garrison 
would  be  frightened  mto  fits.  One  night,  I  remem- 
ber, early  in  the  spring,  and  when  the  ice  began  to 
move,  an  alarm  was  given ;  and  as  the  fancied  vessel 
still  kept  gliding  into  the  bay,  and  those  on  board 
refused  to  answer  to  the  challenges,  a  tremendous 
firing  was  commenced  and  gallantly  sustained  by 
the  supposed  craft,  without  a  man  falling,  until 
the  morning  light  presented  the  stubborn  and  in- 
solent foe  to  full  view  of  the  gazing  warriors  and 
dismayed  inhabitants.  It  was  a  tree  that  had  been 
uprooted  from  the  banks  of  the  lake,  and  came  float- 
ing down  on  the  ice,  the  branches  and  bushes  about 
it  being  the  accompanying  boats  she  was  towing 
jn,  loaded  to  the  water's  edge  with  brigands. 

Butj  at  this  period,  rumours  new  and  of  threaten- 
ing aspect  had  been  sent  over  by  the  paid  spies  of 
the  government,  who  were  placed  along  the  frontier 
towns  of  the  United  States,  that  during  that  very 
week  a  formidable  attempt  would  be  made  on  To- 
ronto, as  well  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the  metro- 
polis into  their  hands,  as  for  our  rescue ;  and  now, 
in  open  day,  a  steamboat  of  the  larger  class  plough- 
ing her  way  into  the  bay,  with  the  American  flag 
floating  at  her  topmast,  appeared  to  them  indicative 
of  the  reality,  and  that  assuredly  their  hour  of  battle 
was  at  hand  ;  and  the  troops  were  roused  from  their 
merriment,  their  grog,  and  bacchanalian  song,  to  meet 
their  invaders. 

It  was  St.  George's  day ;  and  the  soldiers,  on  pre- 
tence of  keeping  up  that  day,  took  a  little  more  grog 
than  usual,  so  that  when  the  alarm  became  general, 

22* 


m 

ill 

:>,:*' 

,1   V      : 

i|         • 

•  •          1 

1, 

II 

i;- 

Ii 


:  ^' 

.[»' 

A 

li. 

:■?;             - 

y 

,            I 

?i    ■, 

".J                     , 

•      i 

■  ,  *    c-  ■ 

1 

1 
1 

lI  ^ 

1 

*  258 

they  were  in  rather  a  more  boisterous  situation  than 
is  commonly  allowed  among  a  soldiery  who  were 
liable  to  be  called  out  on  a  moment  of  emergency. 
The  shouts — the  wild  hurra — succeeded  the  dis- 
charge of  cannon,  and  after  an  hour  or  two  passed 
in  conjecturing  what  all  this  could  amount  to,  or 
what  it  meant,  my  door  was  opened,  and  my  friend, 
James  E.  Small,  Esq.,  came  in,  whose  agitation 
seemed  to  me  to  omen  something  disastrous. 

"Out  with  it,  man;  what  is  it?  what  means  this 
outcry?"     I  demanded. 

"  Nothing,  nothing — at  least  nothing  yet — ^but  it 
may  be  turned  to  advantage :  an  American  vessel 
is  arrived,  and  in  her  is  your  wife,  whose  reception 
by  the  troops  has  been  enthusiastic,  and  I  have 
brought  her  here  to  see  you." 

He  knocked — the  door  was  opened — and  the  object 
of  my  most  intense  anxiety, my  wife,  was  in  my  arms ! 

I  was  not  a  little  shocked  at  her  appearance.  Four 
months  of  anxiety  and  mental  distress  had  made  sad 
ravages  upon  her  health,  and  she  presented  herself 
before  me  all  but  the  wreck  of  her  former  self.  To 
her  I  appeared  equally  broken  in  health,  yet  not  in 
spirit;  for  although  aware  of  what  I  had  to  expect 
from  my  enemies,  and  that  every  thing  depended 
upon  my  own  energies,  never  repining,  and  whistling 
that  grief  through  the  crevices  of  bolts  and  bars, 
which  Falstaff  said'  "  blew  a  man  up,"  yet  the  con- 
fined air  and  dampness  of  my  prison  had  wrought  a 
pale  and  sickly  appearance.  I  had  striven  to  retain 
my  strength  of  body  for  the  last  effort  that  I  might 
be  called  to  make  for  my  freedom ;  but  the  weighty 
chains  I  wore,  the  want  of  exercise,  and  the  breath- 
ing pestilence  about  me  had  made  me  bloated ;  and 
although  I  was  allowed  by  the  government  but  a 
pound  of  bread  and  a  pint  of  miserable  soup  per  day, 
I  confess  that  I  had  all  the  appearance  charged  by 
the  tory  press  of  being  "  fattened  for  the  gal- 
lows." 


lation  than 
who  were 
jmergency. 
d  the  dis- 
two  passed 
ount  to,  or 
my  friend, 
;    agitation 

)US. 

means  this 

yet — ^but  it 
rican  vessel 
36  reception 
ind  I  have 

id  the  object 
in  my  arms ! 
ranee.  Four 
id  made  sad 
ited  herself 
er  self.     To 
,  yet  not  in 
id  to  expect 
y  depended 
id  whistUng 
5  and  bars, 
et  the  con- 
wrought  a 
n  to  retain 
at  I  might 
|he  weighty 
the  breath- 
oated ;  and 
lent  but  a 
(Up  per  day, 
charged  by 

THE  GAL- 


259 

The  account  which  my  wife  gave  me  of  my  family 
and  friends,  particularly  of  the  kind  attentions  of  the 
latter  to  herself,  and  their  heartfelt  sympathies  for 
my  situation,  was  soothing  to  my  agitated  mind ; 
and  I  was  most  grateful  to  them  for  the  means  they 
were  pursuing  to  compel  the  United  States  govern- 
ment to  interfere  in  my  behalf,  although,  even  if 
successful,  that  interference  might  come  too  late.  It 
appeared  that  they  had  been  depending  upon  the 
representations  of  John  Prince  and  others,  that  no- 
thing would  be  done  with  us  or  the  other  American 
prisoners,  further  than  detaining  us  until  the  troubles 
on  the  frontier  should  cease,  when  we  would  all  be 
liberated.  On  this  account,  and,  in  fact,  with  the 
solemn  pledges  of  tories  high  in  office  to  that  effect, 
our  friends  ceased  hostilities,  laid  down  their  arms, 
dispersed,  and  exerted  their  influence  to  restore 
quiet  amongst  the  enraged  inhabitants  of  the  fron- 
tier, who  appeared  resolved  on  "carrying  the  war 
into  Africa."  One  corps  of  iron-nerved  men,  some 
five  hundred  strong,  of  the  brigade  of  my  friend,  E. 
J.  Roberts,  Esq.,  well  armed,  equipped,  and  pro- 
visioned for  a  campaign,  breathing  curses  upon  the 
necessity,  but  consenting  to  the  policy,  disbanded 
and  returned  sullenly  to  their  homes,  on  the  pledge 
that  every  thing  that  could  be  done  on  the  part  of 
the  authorities  of  the  state  of  Michigan,  either  with 
the  powers  in  Canada,  or  at  the  seat  of  government 
of  the  United  States,  should  be  done  to  effect  our 
release;  and  John  Prince,  other  tory  magistrates, 
and  even  clergymen,  on  that  exposed  frontier,  were 
parties  to  it  by  consultation,  and  the  very  men  to 
humbly  solicit  it,  pleading  for-  the  patriot's  mercy. 
But  the  news  of  my  trial,  conviction,  and  sentence, 
accompanied  by  a  printed  copy  of  my  remarks  to 
the  judge,  put  to  flight  their  anticipations,  and  the 
testimony  of  Prince  on  the  stand,  and  his  lying 
description  of  the  affair,  and  of  the  situation  of  mat- 
ters on  the  frontier,  in  his  place  on  the  floor  of  par- 


>■  I' 


»■  '    i 


•  I 


260 

liament,  told  them  how  false  he  and  his  associates 
were  to  their  pledge,  and  redoubled  their  fears  that 
I  would  be  made  their  victim. 

Under  this  state  of  feeling  had  Mrs.  Theller  left 
her  home,  resolved  to  come  to  me.  From  the  few 
days  yet  unexpired,  on  the  receipt  of  the  intelligence, 
before  I  was  to  have  been  executed,  it  was  feared 
she  could  not,  by  any  possibility,  reach  Toronto  in 
time  to  see  me  alive ;  but,  although  the  news  had 
been  received  but  in  the  evening,  before  the  dawn 
of  the  next  morning  she  was  on  the  road,  and  hur- 
ried on  night  and  day  by  extra  conveyances,  until 
she  reached  Lewiston,  N.  Y.,  where  there  appeared 
to  be  an  insurmountable  obstacle  in  the  way — the 
steamboat  Transcript,  the  only  boat  running  to 
Toronto,  had  just  gone.  But  no,  the  American 
steamboat  Oneida  was  laying  in  port,  and  the 
noble-hearted,  generous,  and  disinterested  citizens 
of  Lewiston  had  no  sooner  learned  who  it  was,  and 
the  errand  she  was  upon,  than  that  boat  was  char- 
tered, and  she  again  on  her  way,  under  the  escort 
of  a  gentleman  and  lady,  and  several  young  gentle- 
men of  that  patriotic  town,  who  had  volunteered  to 
accompany  her,  and  protect  her  from  insult ;  but  the 
latter  precaution  was  unnecessary,  inasmuch,  as  she 
remarked,  that,  as  my  wife,  none  dared  to  insult  her, 
particularly  in  Toronto,  where  there  were  regiments 
of  Irishmen  in  arms ;  but,  nevertheless,  words  can 
never  repay  the  obligations  we  both  felt  for  this 
unlooked-for  kindness. 

To  continue  her  narrative. — As  the  boat  neared 
the  port,  she  was  surprised  to  see  the  streets  lined 
with  armed  men,  and  that  they  should  fire  a  cannon 
across  the  bows  of  the  Oneida,  inducing  the  captain 
to  stop  her,  and  run  up  the  American  flag.  Shortly 
an  oflicer  and  guard  came  on  board,  and  ascertaining 
the  cause,  treated  her  with  much  kindness  and  po- 
liteness ;  one  young  officer  telling  her  he  had  just 


!  i 


i  i'  hi    ; 


261 


s  associates 
r  fears  that 

Theller  left 
)m  the  few 
intelligence, 
was  feared 
Toronto  in 
J  news  had 
3  the  dawn 
d,  and  hiir- 
'ances,  until 
re  appeared 
e  way — the 
running  to 
}  American 
•t,  and  the 
ted  citizens 
it  was,  and 
t  was  char- 
[•  the  escort 
ung  gentle- 

unteered  to 
Lilt ;  but  the 
luch,  as  she 
)  insult  her, 
e  regiments 

words  can 
elt  for  this 

oat  neared 
treets  lined 
e  a  cannon 
he  captain 
Shortly 
scertaining 
ss  and  po- 
e  had  just 


seen  ms,  that  I  was  well,  and  encouraging  her  by 
assurances  that  although  the  government  would 
make  the  attempt  to  carry  their  sentence  into  execu- 
tion, still  the  guards  would  not  allow  it. 

On  her  landing  at  the  wharf,  and  its  being  an- 
nounced who  she  was,  she  was  enthusiastically 
cheered  by  the  troops,  as  they  opened  their  files  to 
let  her  pass,  and  observing  some  of  the  officers 
approaching  to  render  her  some  civilities,  they  be- 
came rather  loud  in  their  whispered  consolation. 
"  Don't  be  cast  down,  ma'am ;  keep  up  your  heart ; 
your  husband  is  our  countryman ;  and  they  shan't 
hurt  a  hair  of  his  head  as  long  as  one  of  us  can 
hould  a  bayonet."  Cheered  by  this  exhibition  of 
national  feeling,  she  thanked  them  as  my  country- 
men, and,  as  the  Toronto  Patriot,  the  official  paper, 
said,  "  turned  up  her  nose,  and  said  that  she  knew 
the  government  dare  not  hang  him,"  that  she  was 
going  to  the  governor  with  documents,  and  was 
desirous  of  going  forthwith.  Many  immediately 
volunteered  to  go  with  her,  which  some  discreet 
friend  observing,  advised  her  to  let  them  go  alone, 
which  she  did,  and  whilst  she  was  on  her  way  to  my 
prison,  they  were  on  theirs  to  the  government 
house. 

A  deputation  of  their  own  choice  presented  the 
petition.  The  council  was  called,  and  after  some 
time,  Sir  George  informed  them  how  grateful  her 
majesty  was  to  the  loyal  Irish ;  that  they  had  saved 
the  province,  and  fhat  he  was  happy  to  have  it  in 
his  power  to  do  an  act  which  would  be  gratifying  to 
those  brave  men,  who,  in  the  hour  of  peril,  had  so 
gallantly  rallied  around  the  government;  that  as 
there  was  a  great  legal  question  involved  in  my 
trial,  it  had  been  decided  that  I  should  be  respited 
until  her  majesty'* s  pleasure  should  be  known; 
that  at  present  I  should  be  reserved  for  her  inajes- 
ty^ s  pleasure.   Yes,  there  was  a  great  legal  question 


262 


i ! 


Hi   n 


ti .  * 


rr'i 


'11  ■■^li 


involved,  and  that  question  was  whether,  in  the  ah- 
sence  of  one  or  two  more  regular  regiments,  he  could 
carry  his  sanguinary  scheme  into  ertect;  whetlier  he 
dared  brave  the  bold  and  fearless  volunteers,  who 
did  not  hesitate  to  tell  him  to  his  teeth,  that  they 
would  never  be  passive  lookers-on  at  the  gibbeting 
of  their  countryman,  arraigned  as  he  had  been  on  a 
fiilse  issue,  unjustly  condemned,  and  illegally  and 
inhumanly  sentenced.  Here  was  the  grand  secret 
of  the  great  q^uestion  involved.  The  open  threats 
of  a  loyal  party,  and  the  anonymous  letters  of  the 
reformers  to  the  chief-justice  and  the  members  of  the 
council,  carried  more  terror  to  the  soul  of  Sir  George, 
than  would  a  thousand  legal  questions  to  his  seared 
conscience,  or  the  execution  of  myriads  of  freemen, 
to  his  bloated  heart.  The  tyrant,  and  his  minions 
of  the  perjured  woolsack  and  the  council,  knew  that 
they  had  been  tried  and  condemned,  and  that  a  con- 
ditional sentence  was  hanging  over  their  heads,  from 
which  they  must  seek  a  reprieve  before  the  rising 
of  another  sun.  They  trembled  lest  they  took  my 
place  upon  the  scaffold,  and  the  guillotine  be  placed 
there  instead  of  the  knout.  The  "legal  principle 
INVOLVED,"  had  already  been  discussed  for  days, 
and  finally  coldly  dismissed,  with  the  assurance  that 
I  need  not  hope  for  mercy  from  their  hands.  That 
it  was  fear,  guilty,  trembling,  cowardly  fear  involved, 
was  made  evident  to  every  rational  man  who  read 
their  official,  the  Toronto  Patriot,  the  next  morning, 
when  Sir  George  Arthur  himself — for  none  other 
could  so  eloquently  describe  the  horrors  of  the  wretch 
doomed  to  Van  Diemen's  land,  as  the  late  brutal 
master  of  that  devoted  colony, — after  alluding  to  the 
means  which  had  been  resorted  to  to  save  me  from 
the  gallows,  paints  in  glowing  colours  the  doom 
which  still  awaited  me  ;  that  although  I  was  respited 
from  immediate  death,  I  should  suffer  ten  thousand 
living  lingering  deaths ;  that  I  should  be  compelled 


r,  in  the  ab- 
uts, he  could 

whether  he 
inteers,  who 
h,  that  they 
le  gibbeting 
id  been  on  a 
llegally  and 
grand  secret 
3pen  threats 
Btters  of  the 
mbers  of  the 
f  Sir  George, 
o  his  seared 
3  of  freemen, 

his  minions 
il,  knew  that 
d  that  a  con- 
r  heads,  from 
re  the  rising 
ley  took  my 
lie  be  placed 

L  PRINCIPLE 

d  for  days, 
surance  that 
ands.  That 
ar  involved, 
n  who  read 
xt  morning, 

none  other 
»f  the  wretch 

late  brutal 
uding  to  the 
ve  me  from 
the  doom 
vas  respited 
n  thousand 
compelled 


263 

to  submit  to  tho  brand  of  infamy,  which,  in  the 
stamping,  should  sear  my  very  flesh,  and,  chained  to 
the  vilest  culprits  of  the  earth,  be  flayed  with  whips, 
and  compelled  to  undergo  all  the  tortures  human 
invention  could  create,  or  brutal  man  apply.  So 
much  for  defeated  malice  and  humbled  prido.  The 
"  galled  jade  winced ;"  losing  all  control  of  his  bet- 
ter judgment,  and  giving  vent  to  his  knightly 
spleen. 

However,  all  this  vituperation  only  had  a  tendency 
to  excite  my  laughter ;  for  I  had  experienced  so  nuich 
happiness  within  the  preceding  afternoon  and  even- 
ing with  the  arrival  of  my  wife ;  the  knowledge  that 
my  children  were  alive  and  well ;  that  my  friends 
were  still  my  friends ;  the  display  of  Irish  hearts,  and 
readiness  of  Irish  hands ;  the  reprieve  ;  the  thundei- 
ing  huzzas  of  the  multitudes  in  the  streets ;  the  rush 
to  my  prison  door  with  the  hearty  congratulations 
of  friends,  amongst  whom  were  most  of  the  otiicers 
of  the  volunteer  regiments,  as  well  as  the  civic  offi- 
cers of  the  city ;  and  last,  though  not  least,  the  prime 
minister  himself,  as  they  called  the  president  of  the 
executive  council,  the  Hon.  Mr.  O'Sullivan,  all  joyous 
at  the  event,  or  at  least  appearing  to  me  to  be  so,  that 
I  thought  the  world  made  up  of  fine  fellows,  and 
couldn't,  if  I  would,  be  angry  with  any  thing,  or  any- 
body. I  had,  too,  after  the  rejoicings  of  the  evening, 
obtained  leave  to  visit  my  old  quarters,  and  see  my 
old  comrades,  to  whose  number  I  now  found  added, 
Sutherland,  and  a  young  man  by  the  name  of 
Spencer,  who  had  been  taken  with  him  on  the  ice,  by 
John  Prince  ;  and  here  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
the  scaffold  which  had  been  erected  in  front  of  our 
window,  and  still  kept  up  from  the  time  of  its  use 
for  the  execution  of  Lount  and  Matthews,  knocked 
down  and  torn  to  pieces  by  the  friendly  volunteers  : 
its  departure  giving  us  hopes  that  the  days  of  luood 
were  over ;  that  no  more  of  our  imprisoned  iinnates 
were  to  be  executed;  that  the  blood-hounds  had 


ill 


) 


\  I 


( I 


2G4 

drank  their  fill  of  the  crimsoned  liquid  of  iheii  fellow- 
men  ;  indeed,  that  a  lesson  had  been  taught  the 
government,  by  the  people,  by  the  result  of  the  trials 
of  that  day,  which  would  ever  be  an  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  Canada — the  day  thai  its  first  martyrs  sealed 
with  their  blood  the  principles  of  liberty  which  they 
had  advocated,  and  fought  and  died  for. 


( (. 


^!  -in 


i,  t 


END  OF  VOL.  I. 


I  ;  I  t 


J  of  Iheii  foUow- 
been  taught  the 
esult  of  the  trials 
n  era  in  the  his- 
5t  martyrs  sealed 
lerty  which  they 
for. 


\ 


